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Assessing microplastic pollution and its interaction with organic pollutants in green mussels (Perna viridis) from Quang Ninh coastal waters, Viet Nam
Summary
Scientists studying green mussels off the coast of Vietnam found that these shellfish soak up tiny plastic particles (microplastics) and chemical pollutants from seawater at much higher levels than what's in the surrounding water or seabed—meaning mussels can concentrate pollution from their environment. Interestingly, the amount of microplastics in the mussels didn't clearly line up with levels of certain harmful chemicals (like flame retardants and plasticizers) also found in their tissue, suggesting these pollutants may build up somewhat independently. Since many people eat mussels and similar shellfish, this research is a remin
Microplastics (MPs) are known as emerging pollutants not only for their ability to adsorb contaminants in the surrounding environment but also because of the additives present in their composition. Assessing the correlation of microplastics with other pollutants can be considered a basis for making deeper judgments about the potential risks of microplastics and the ecosystem. In this study, we collected samples at ten locations in the coastal area of Quang Ninh. Empirical evidence demonstrates a universally pronounced biological concentration index for mussels relative to seawater, irrespective of the spatial distribution of the sampling points (Bioconcentration Ratio > 1). Biota sediment accumulation factor > 1, on average more than 10 times. The pollution load index (PLI) index in mussels ranges from 5.23 to 11.65 at the dangerous level I to II, the PLI index in sediment ranges from 3.32 to 7.03 at level I, and the PLI index in seawater samples rangesfrom 32.66 to 54.16 at level IV. Within the evaluated green mussels, MP accumulation in the soft tissue exhibited marginal to negligible statistical relationships with the targeted contaminants: Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (r = 0.37), Bisphenol A (r = 0.14), and Phthalic acid esters (r = - 0.22). Given these preliminary findings, further research is strictly required to definitively ascertain whether the overall quantity of MPs corresponds with the tissue concentrations of Bisphenol A, Phthalic acid esters, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers. These differences suggest that tissue and side effects influence the interactions between these contaminants.