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Relaying as a complementary management strategy for microplastics, Acanthamoeba spp., and dietary exposure in farmed oysters Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793)
Summary
Moving farmed oysters to cleaner water for about 48 hours before harvest appeared to reduce both microplastic particles and a potentially harmful amoeba, according to this small study — though the microplastic reduction wasn't statistically significant. This "relaying" technique, already used to clean up oysters' bacterial safety, might offer a simple, low-cost extra step to lower people's exposure to microplastics and germs when eating oysters, but more research is needed before it's a reliable fix.
Coastal bivalve aquaculture is increasingly challenged by emerging contaminants, including microplastics, in seafood intended for human consumption. Relaying is traditionally applied for microbiological control, but its potential to reduce contamination and exposure remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the influence of relaying on microplastic loads and Acanthamoeba spp. occurrence in oysters (Magallana gigas), together with estimated dietary exposure and polymer-related hazard. Oysters were exposed for 168 h in a contamination area, defined as the contaminated baseline (0 h), and then transferred to a Class A area for 24, 48, 72, and 336 h of relaying. Microplastics were quantified and characterized using stereomicroscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR), while free-living amoebae were assessed by agar isolation and morphological identification. Human exposure was estimated using Estimated Annual Intake (EAI) and Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) under national and regional consumption scenarios, and polymer hazard was assessed using the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI). Overall, 28 microplastic particles were identified, with fibers predominating. The lowest microplastic abundance occurred after 48 h, coinciding with the lowest EAI and EDI values, although differences among sampling times were not statistically significant. Acanthamoeba spp. was not detected after 48 h, whereas PHI indicated high-hazard polymers. Relaying may therefore act as a time-sensitive complementary strategy for reducing microplastic loads and estimated exposure in oysters.