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Microplastic Bioaccumulation in Mollusks from Sozopol Bay (Black Sea, Bulgaria): A Comparative Assessment
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in 86% of mussels and oysters tested from a Black Sea bay in Bulgaria, with oysters containing nearly 50 times more plastic particles than mussels. Since these shellfish are commonly eaten by people, this matters because it shows how plastic pollution in the ocean can work its way into our food—and the study suggests using both types of shellfish together could help scientists better track this contamination in coastal waters.
Plastic pollution is an increasing threat to marine ecosystems, with microplastics (MPs) posing particular concern due to their potential to harm marine organisms and disrupt ecological balance. Understanding the extent and nature of MPs contamination in bivalves is crucial for identifying effective bioindicators, supporting ecological risk assessments, and guiding monitoring. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the accumulation, composition, and characteristics of MPs in two bivalve species, Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819, and Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793), collected from Sozopol Bay (Bulgarian Black Sea southern coast), evaluating their suitability as bioindicators of MPs pollution and associated health and ecological risks. Specimens were collected via scuba diving, and MPs’ presence in soft tissues was examined using the Agilent 8700 LDIR Chemical Imaging System. MPs were detected in 86% of the analyzed individuals, with significantly higher concentrations in oysters than in mussels (8.92 vs. 0.18 MPs/gram of soft tissue). Polyethylene terephthalate was the dominant polymer in M. galloprovincialis (44%), while polyethylene was most prevalent in M. gigas (56%). The majority of MPs measured were in the range 20–50 µm. Most particles were irregular or rounded fragments. These findings confirm substantial MPs contamination in Sozopol Bay and suggest that M. galloprovincialis is a more reliable early-warning indicator for MPs presence, while M. gigas provides comprehensive information about the presence and types of MPs. Their combined use in biomonitoring programs could enhance the accuracy and resolution of MPs’ assessments.
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ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN THE BLACK SEA MUSSEL Mytilus galloprovincialis L., 1819
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Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in the Black Sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from multiple sites along the Bulgarian coast. Microplastics were detected in all samples with fragment and fiber morphologies dominant, and differences in abundance were observed between sampling locations linked to proximity to human activities.
The Assessment of the Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in Key Fish Species from the Bulgarian Aquatory of the Black Sea
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Researchers found microplastics in the soft tissues of five commercially important Black Sea fish species collected off the Bulgarian coast, with polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer types. Pellets were the most common particle shape, found across all specimens regardless of species. The results indicate significant microplastic contamination in a major regional seafood source, raising concerns about the potential for plastics to move up the food chain and reach people who consume these fish.
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Researchers compared how oysters and mussels accumulate microplastics in a polluted Brazilian estuary and found both species performed equally well as biological monitors of contamination. Some of the highest microplastic levels ever recorded in shellfish were found at the most polluted sites. Since oysters and mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these contamination levels raise direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.
Spatial Distribution and Index-Based Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in the Southern Black Sea
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Scientists tested waters and sediments along the southern Black Sea coast and found tiny plastic particles, mostly common plastics like polyethylene (used in bags and packaging), everywhere they looked, both in the water and on the seafloor. This matters because these coastal areas are often sources of seafood, and microplastics that build up in the environment can end up in the fish and shellfish people eat, though this study focused on mapping pollution levels rather than directly measuring health effects. The findings give researchers a baseline to track pollution trends and push for better plastic waste management in the region.
The assessment of the bioaccumulation of microplastics in key fish species from the Bulgarian aquatory of the Black Sea
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Researchers examined five commercially important fish species from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and found microplastics in all tissue types studied. The most common particles were polyethylene and PET pellets, with sizes ranging down to 25 micrometers, indicating widespread plastic pollution in this region that could affect both fish populations and the humans who eat them.
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