We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
First multi-compartment approach to microplastics in an urbanized estuary of Argentina: The case of Magallana gigas
AI summary Read the abstract
This first multi-compartment study of microplastics in the Bahia Blanca estuary, Argentina, simultaneously measured microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and two tissue types from the oyster Magallana gigas across three sites. Microplastics were detected in all compartments, with pollution load index analysis revealing elevated risk at sites nearest to urban and industrial activity.
This study assesses MP in water, sediment, gills, and digestive tract of the oyster Magallana gigas in three Bahía Blanca estuary sites, Argentina, using, Pollution Load Index (PLI) and SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) techniques. A total of 51 MPs were detected in water (mean: 16 items L) and 126 in sediments (mean: 1399 items Kg) with no significant differences between sites. In oysters, 186 MPs were found, with no significant differences in the MPs load between gills (mean: 2.41 items g w.w), digestive tract (2.06 ± 2 items g w.w), and the total tissues. Transparent fiber MPs were predominant, with cellulose, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene being common polymers. SEM/EDX showed Si, Fe, Cl, Na, Ti, Al, K, Ca and suspended particulate matter on MP surfaces. The PLI indicated a low-risk level for estuary bivalves and water, suggesting minimal MPs impact.
More Papers Like This
Abundance of microplastics in oysters Crassostrea gigas and water from a highly anthropized estuary.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface water and whole tissue of Crassostrea gigas oysters at two sites in the Bahia Blanca estuary, a highly anthropized system in Argentina with major port, petrochemical, and urban wastewater inputs. MPs ranged from 6 to 50 items/L in water and 0 to 2 items/g wet weight in oyster tissue, with transparent and blue fibers predominating in both matrices.
“Can bivalves, water, and sediment be integrated into anthropogenic microdebris monitoring? A case study of Magallana gigas with a global comparative analysis”
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simultaneously sampled water, sediment, and Pacific oyster tissue at four sites in a southwestern Atlantic estuary, finding that polyester fibers dominated across all compartments but that no statistically significant correlations emerged between environmental and biological matrices, underscoring the complexity of linking contamination levels across compartments.
Spatial distribution of anthropogenic particles and microplastics in a meso-tidal lagoon (Arcachon Bay, France): A multi-compartment approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across multiple compartments (surface water, water column, sediments, and oysters) in the Arcachon Bay, a meso-tidal Atlantic lagoon in France, mapping spatial distribution and finding widespread contamination throughout the system.
Assessment of coastal pollutants and health status of Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) in the Bahía Blanca Estuary and adjacent beaches (Argentina)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the health of Pacific oysters from two coastal zones in Argentina with different levels of human activity, measuring metals, pesticides, microplastics, and other pollutants in their tissues. Oysters from the more industrialized estuary showed higher concentrations of metals and hydrocarbons, along with tissue damage and signs of cellular stress. The study highlights that even oysters from less impacted beaches contained detectable levels of multiple pollutants, pointing to the widespread nature of coastal contamination.
Distribution and dynamic of anthropogenic microparticles and microplastics: A multi-compartment approach
AI summary Read the abstract
A comprehensive multi-matrix study assessed microplastic and anthropogenic particle contamination in Arcachon Bay, France, sampling the ocean surface, water column, intertidal sediments, and oysters. Contamination was detected throughout the bay with levels varying by depth and location, and oysters accumulated microplastics from surrounding water. The study provides one of the most complete spatial pictures of microplastic distribution across environmental compartments in a meso-tidal coastal embayment.
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.