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Seasonal Variation of Microplastic Contamination in Edible Bivalves (Green Mussels and Clams) from the Bay of Bengal Coast, Bangladesh
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Mussels and clams from Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal coast were found to contain tiny plastic particles called microplastics, with more than twice as much contamination showing up in winter compared to monsoon season. Since these shellfish are commonly eaten, this means people consuming them may be unknowingly swallowing plastic fibers and fragments too—a reminder that seafood safety and plastic pollution are closely linked. More research is needed to understand exactly how this affects human health, but the findings suggest it's worth paying attention to where and when your shellfish comes from.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly found more often in aquatic environments, and filter-feeding bivalves can ingest MPs, potentially exposing humans. To our knowledge, seasonal data on microplastic loads in edible marine bivalves from the Bay of Bengal coast of Bangladesh remain limited. Here, we measured the number of MPs contamination in the soft tissues of green mussels (Perna viridis) and three types of clams (Meretrix lusoria, Meretrix lyrata, and Tegilarca granosa) collected from the Bay of Bengal coast. MP load (items individual) was higher in winter than in monsoon for both mussels (54 vs 20 items individual) and clams (44 vs 19 items individual). Across species and seasons, MPs < 1 mm were most common, and the dominant shapes were fibers, fragments, and filaments; and the dominant colors were black, blue, and transparent. Polyamide/nylon (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE) were among the most frequently detected polymers. These results show that there are high levels of MPs in the edible bivalves from the Bay of Bengal coast, which can threaten the seafood safety.
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three types of commercially harvested shellfish from Bandon Bay in Thailand across different seasons. They found that microplastic levels were significantly higher during the dry season, with oysters containing the most particles. The study suggests that seasonal conditions and proximity to fishery activities influence how much microplastic accumulates in seafood.
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Scientists studying a beach in Bangladesh found that tiny plastic bits (microplastics) wash in mostly from rivers, with pollution levels spiking during monsoon season and worst along the eastern shore. Some of these plastic fragments—including a particularly toxic type called PVC—pose real risks to marine life, and since fish and other seafood can absorb these particles, this pollution may eventually make its way into what ends up on our plates.
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Occurrence and human health risks of microplastics in the Bay of Bengal using Perna viridis as sentinel species
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Researchers found microplastics in water, sediment, and green mussel tissues at every site tested across five locations in the Bay of Bengal. The mussels showed tissue damage including inflammation and cell death linked to microplastic accumulation, with the digestive gland carrying the highest burden. Since these mussels are consumed by local communities, the findings raise direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through seafood.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in seawater, sediments, and green mussels (Perna viridis) around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand, finding seasonal variation with higher levels during the wet season and confirming that mussels bioaccumulate microplastics from their surrounding environment.
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