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Distribution of Microplastics in Freshwater Mussels across a Watershed
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Researchers measured microplastic particles in water, mussel tissue, and sediment at five sites along a North Carolina river. Levels varied by location, with less contamination upstream and more downstream, and did not always match up between water, mussels, and sediment. The study also describes a low-cost method for testing these samples.
Microplastic research is an emerging field of study, and we do not yet fully understand the scope or effects of microplastic pollution. Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, but the field suffers from a lack of unified, accessible protocols and an ecosystems approach to evaluating microplastic contamination. During autumn 2020, we collected water, mussel, and sediment samples from five sites along the Yadkin–Pee Dee River Basin, North Carolina. These samples were digested, filtered, and analyzed for microplastic particles. We found significant differences in microplastic particles in water, mussel tissue, and sediment samples among sites. Low microplastic concentrations at the upstream site and high concentrations at the downstream site contributed to these differences. Water sample microplastic concentrations were positively correlated with drainage area, and sediment concentrations were negatively correlated with elevation. Mussel microplastic concentrations were negatively correlated with weight but were positively correlated with drainage area. These results reveal that microplastics do not always move readily between water, biota, and sediment. Our study highlights the need for a standardized and accessible protocol that can be used to process and analyze samples of water, sediment, and biota. The protocol we developed was effective and relatively low-cost; it may facilitate microplastic research in understudied regions and provide results that are more readily comparable across studies.
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Investigation of Microplastics in Freshwater Mussels (Lasmigona costata) From the Grand River Watershed in Ontario, Canada
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Researchers sampled fluted-shell mussels (Lasmigona costata) across the Grand River watershed in Ontario. Microplastics were found in 71% of mussels, with ten polymer types identified and no more than seven particles in any one animal. Counts rose with the size of the upstream catchment but not with urban land use.
Tracking the microplastic pollution in the freshwater environments of southeastern Türkiye: Usage of Unio delicatus, Unio Terminalis and Dreissena polymorpha as bioindicators of microplastics
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This study examined microplastic contamination in three freshwater mussel species collected from rivers and a dam lake in southeastern Turkey, finding relatively low average concentrations (under 1 microplastic per individual) but confirming that these mussels do accumulate plastic particles from their surroundings. Because mussels are filter feeders with a fixed lifestyle, they reflect local pollution levels well, making them useful sentinels for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems. The research adds to growing evidence that microplastics are now present even in inland freshwater species far from the ocean.
Microplastics in a freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina) in Northern Europe
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Researchers confirmed microplastic occurrence in the freshwater duck mussel Anodonta anatina in a Swedish river, finding microplastics in all mussels examined with higher concentrations downstream of urban wastewater treatment plants compared to a rural upstream location.
Contamination, Uptake and Elimination of Microplastics in Freshwater Mussels
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This study examined the contamination, uptake, and elimination of microplastics in freshwater mussels, extending findings from marine systems to freshwater filter feeders. The research provides baseline data on how microplastics accumulate in freshwater bivalves, which are important bioindicators and food sources.
Mussels as Samplers of Regional Microplastic Contamination Trends
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This study examined microplastic contamination in the tissues of Mytilus mussels from multiple coastal regions to assess how well mussels serve as bioindicators of environmental plastic pollution. Results helped clarify which environmental and physiological factors most influence microplastic uptake in these filter-feeding animals.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.