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Quantification and characterization of microplastics in an intertidal gastropod the common periwinkle Littorina littorea

Water Biology and Security 2025 6 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Mahfuzur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mahfuzur Rahman, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mahfuzur Rahman, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Md Enamul Hoque, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Md Enamul Hoque, Md Enamul Hoque, Koushik Das, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Koushik Das, Zahid Hasan, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mir Md Tasnim Alam, Koushik Das, Mir Md Tasnim Alam, Md Jakaria, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Koushik Das, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique R. H. Nelson, Koushik Das, R. H. Nelson, Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique

Summary

Researchers examined common periwinkle snails from Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal and found microplastics in 100% of the specimens, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymer types. The average contamination was about 7.76 microplastic particles per gram of tissue, predominantly black and red fibers in the 100-1500 micrometer range. Polymer hazard index assessments indicated risk categories ranging from high to dangerous, though the overall pollution load at the site remained relatively low.

Polymers

PE PET PP PS

Marine microplastics (MPs) are an increasingly important concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in an intertidal sea snail, the common periwinkle ( Littorina littorea ) sampled from Saint Martin's Island, Bay of Bengal. The results revealed that 100% of the common periwinkle snails ingested microplastics (MPs), with a mean abundance ranging from 2.63 ± 1.07 to 23.89 ± 3.53 MP/g (average: 7.76 ± 5.77 MP/g). Microplastic particles in the 100–1500 μm size class were the most abundant (63%), whereas black and red fibers were the most abundant colors and shapes. Polypropylene (PP, 34%) and polyethylene (PE, 38%) were the major polymer types, followed by polystyrene (PS, 15%) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 13%). Although the polymer hazard index (PHI) showed risk categories III to IV due to highly hazardous polymers such as PS and PE in the soft tissue of the common periwinkle snails, the pollution load index (PLI <10) revealed minor contamination across the sampling site of Saint Martin's Island. Gastropod feeding patterns and food items impacted MP abundance in the studied area. • Mean abundance of MPs ranged from 2.63 ± 1.07 to 23.89 ± 3.53 MP/g. • Black and red fibers within 100–1500 μm were the most abundant MPs. • Polypropylene (34 %) and polyethylene (38 %) were the major polymers. • Polymer hazard index showed risk categories III (high) to IV (danger). • Common periwinkle could be used as a bioindicator of MP pollution.

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