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Ingestion of Microplastics in Edible Beach Invertebrates in Vietnam
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Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in three edible beach invertebrates in Vietnam — wedge clams, hermit crabs, and ghost crabs — using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, finding all three species ingested microplastics and that sedentary filter-feeding Donax clams showed the highest ingestion rates and polymer diversity, positioning them as a potential bioindicator species.
Analyzing microplastics in marine organisms is essential for understanding the ecological and toxicological impacts of marine microplastic pollution in coastal food webs. This study investigated microplastic ingestion in three edible invertebrate species commonly found on Vietnamese sandy beaches, wedge clam Donax sp., hermit crabs Pagurus sp., and horn-eyed ghost crabs Ocypode ceratophthalmus, which differ in feeding modes and mobility, using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) with a detection limit of 20 µm. Results showed that all three species ingested microplastics, with ingestion patterns varying according to species-specific traits and habitat-related feeding behaviors. The highly mobile crabs Ocypode ceratophthalmus (omnivore) and Pagurus sp. (scavenger) were found to partially reflect the polymer pollution in their ambient environment. The higher ingestion rate and diversity of polymer types observed in sedentary Donax sp. suggest that this species could serve as a potential bioindicator for microplastic pollution, given its mixed suspension and deposit feeding habits that integrate pollution from both the water column and beach sediments. Overall, these results reveal widespread microplastic ingestion among edible beach fauna, highlighting potential ecological and human health concerns, and emphasizing the need for targeted pollution management and increased public awareness. Advancing our understanding will require larger datasets and controlled experiments to more robustly assess species-specific responses and the likelihood of trophic transfer.
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Characteristics of Microplastics in Bivalves of Rock Oysters and Sea Clams in the South Central Coast, Vietnam
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Researchers analyzed microplastics in rock oysters and sea clams collected from the South Central Coast of Vietnam using micro-FTIR spectroscopy. They found 1–21 particles per oyster individual and 4–5 per clam, with concentrations of 0.25–1.59 particles per gram of fresh tissue, predominantly fibers and fragments in the 50–500 µm range.
Investigation of microplastic contamination in blood cockles and green mussels from selected aquaculture farms and markets in Thailand
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in blood cockles and green mussels from aquaculture farms and markets in Thailand using fluorescence microscopy and micro-FTIR spectroscopy. They found microplastics present in all samples, with fibers being the most common shape and varying abundance levels across different collection sites. The study raises concerns about microplastic contamination in commercially farmed and sold bivalves as a pathway for human dietary exposure.
Uptake of Microplastics in the Wedge Clam Donax trunculus: First Evidence from the Mediterranean Sea
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Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic uptake in the wedge clam Donax trunculus from the Mediterranean Sea, characterizing the particles ingested by this commercially important bivalve species along Italian coastal beaches. The findings establish this species as a useful bioindicator for microplastic monitoring and raise concerns about human dietary exposure through shellfish consumption.
Assessment of microplastics pollution level on clam farming and bathing beaches: a case study of Thanh Phu in Ben Tre, Vietnam
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in sand samples from clam farming and bathing beaches at Thanh Phu, Ben Tre, Vietnam, finding higher microplastic concentrations on clam beaches than bathing beaches and attributing the difference to contributions from coastal aquaculture activities. FTIR analysis confirmed that 62.5% of representative suspected particles were genuine plastic, with fibers and low-density polymers predominating.
Microplastics in the Ria Formosa Lagoon: Ingestion by marine invertebrates with different feeding traits and from different habitats
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Researchers measured microplastic ingestion in four macroinvertebrate species from Portugal's Ria Formosa lagoon representing different trophic levels and feeding strategies, using KOH digestion and micro-FTIR identification of particles filtered on 5 µm silicon membranes. Microplastic type and amount varied significantly between species and locations, with elevated ethylene-propylene rubber concentrations near Faro airport suggesting habitat and behavior as key drivers of microplastic accumulation patterns.
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