Objective 1: Compare microplastic levels in oysters cultivated in high-plastic conditions (traditional plastic mesh bags) and plastic-free conditions (plastic-free gear). We will test the hypothesis that (i) tissue from oysters grown in traditional plastic free gear has a greater load of microplastics than oysters that are grown in plastic-free gear and (ii) microplastic burden in oyster tissues decreases following a period of depuration in filtered seawater.
Objective 2: Examine the role of microplastics in mediating pathogen entry, retention, and tissue distribution in oysters. We will test the hypothesis that bacterial entry and retention throughout oysters tissues is greater when oysters are exposed to bacteria-associated microplastics compared to free-floating bacteria or bacterial aggregates alone.