Bacterial community responses of the hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus fed on microplastics

Microplastics (MPs) provide persistent contaminants in freshwaters and the oceans from anthropogenic sources worldwide. MP contamination ecosystems has emerged as a global environmental issue. While increasing research focused on ecological consequences of plastic pollution, health-related implications pollution have been somewhat overlooked. In this study, we evaluated effects polyethylene microbial, physical, biochemical characteristics hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus over 7-day food exposure. Different concentrations (0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.0%) MPs were used for feed intake experiments. Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ full-length sequencing 16S rDNA gene was to explore changes microbial composition tissues. At phylum level, content Firmicutes significantly decreased digestive gland tissue. Furthermore, predicted functions genes community influenced by MPs. contrast, there eight gill 11 tissues identified at low high levels. The dominant methylotrophy, dark thiosulfate oxidation, oxidation sulfur compounds, aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, compound degradation increased levels gland. These findings indicate that ingestion causes not only short-term decrease energy crustaceans but also change communities their functions. This study provided first account toxicity aid assessment health risks marine invertebrates.