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Asian Clams as Bioindicators for Microplastics in Tennessee Freshwater
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Researchers investigated whether Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) can serve as reliable biological indicators of microplastic pollution in Tennessee freshwater systems. Because clams filter large volumes of water, they may accumulate microplastics in ways that reflect environmental contamination levels, making them useful monitoring tools.
This research investigates the reliability of Corbicula flumenia (Asian Clams) ...
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Temporal Bioindication of Microplastics by the Asian Clam, C. Fluminea
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Monthly sampling of Asian clams over seven months revealed that 84% of specimens contained microplastics, with concentrations inversely correlated with stream discharge, suggesting clams reflect microplastic storage during dry periods and export during floods. These results support the Asian clam as a useful temporal bioindicator for microplastic pollution, offering a biological monitoring tool that captures seasonal variability in contamination levels.
Microplastics in Snails from an Urbanized Creek
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Aquatic snails collected from an urbanized creek in Knoxville, Tennessee were found to contain an average of more than 12 microplastic particles each, with microfibers comprising 92% of the 212 total particles recovered from just 10 specimens. This study demonstrates that urban freshwater invertebrates are heavily exposed to microplastics, with clothing-derived microfibers as the dominant source, raising concerns about contamination moving up the food chain.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems
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Researchers reviewed the evidence for microplastic contamination across freshwater environments, finding these particles in virtually all rivers and lakes studied — including remote wilderness areas. Microfibers from synthetic textiles are consistently the most common type found, suggesting laundry runoff is a major and underappreciated source.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems
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Researchers reviewed the widespread presence of microplastics in freshwater environments — including remote lakes and rivers — finding that microfibers from textiles are the most commonly detected type. Since freshwater is a source of drinking water and food, its contamination with microplastics has direct implications for human health.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.