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Microplastic pollution and regional risk analysis of commercially important smooth Scallop Flexopecten glaber (Linnaeus, 1758) species in the black sea
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Scientists checked scallops from the Black Sea for microplastics and found tiny plastic fibers in every single sample, with the most contamination near areas with more people and pollution. Since these scallops are commonly eaten, this means people who eat them are likely swallowing plastic particles too, and the amount depends on where the seafood comes from. While this study doesn't tell us exactly how harmful this is to our health, it's a reminder that plastic pollution is making its way into our food.
As plastic pollution in marine ecosystems continues to intensify, microplastics (MPs) have become a significant environmental concern due to their persistence and potential ecological consequences. In this study, the commercially important smooth scallop Flexopecten glaber was evaluated as a biological indicator of MP pollution at eight stations in the Southeastern Black Sea. MPs were detected in scallop samples from all stations, with the highest abundance recorded in the region characterized by higher population density and stronger anthropogenic pressure, reaching 2.00 MP/individual and 0.17 MP/g. Although the prevalence reached 100% in one sampling area, the overall MP load and associated risk measures were highest in the most affected region. Fibers constituted 100% of the detected MPs, the dominant size class was 1-2 mm, and the most abundant polymer type was polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Ecological risk assessment revealed that the region with the highest microplastic concentration also had high pollution and polymer-related risk levels, and that the estimated daily per capita intake was also highest in this region. These findings highlight significant spatial differences in microplastic pollution and support the use of F. glaber as a suitable biological indicator for regional monitoring of microplastic pollution in the Black Sea.
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