Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Access Controlled Thesis

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Laura Eierman

Abstract

Eastern oysters provide many ecosystem services including biofiltration of nutrients, production of suitable habitat, and barriers to shorelines all of which lead to oysters being considered ecosystem engineers and a keystone species. Environmental stressors such as global warming and plastic pollution are increasing concerns for the health of the eastern oyster, conveying the importance of understanding the specific ways in which these stressors will
impact this species. The objective of my thesis is therefore to determine how the genetic response of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) to microplastics changes when exposed to varying temperatures. In order to study the combined impacts of these stressors, juvenile oysters were exposed to plastic bottle leachate at an ambient temperature of 69 °F and to the same
leachate while undergoing a temperature ramp of ~9 °F over 11 days. The relative expression of 4 genes associated with biomineralization, immune function, and cellular stress were quantified.The combination of elevated temperatures and microplastic exposure has the potential to cause reduced biomineralization and growth, immune and inflammatory responses, and cellular stress.
These deleterious effects can further degrade natural populations and the productivity of aquaculture populations, which could lead to serious long-term effects on the stability of the species. As our environment continues to change it will be imperative that we conserve the ecosystems that are necessary for not only humans to thrive, but for marine organisms to thrive as well. Having a holistic understanding of how foundational keystone species like the eastern
oyster will respond to changes is the first step to conserving these ecosystems.

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