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Evaluation of the emission potential (microplastics & organic additives) by conventional or biodegradable mussel nets
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Researchers evaluated microplastic and organic additive emission potential from conventional petro-based and biodegradable mussel farming nets under biotic and abiotic degradation conditions, assessing whether biodegradable alternatives reduce plastic pollution from aquaculture tapping net use.
In mussel farming, the use of tapping nets is essential for preventing product loss and protecting mussels from predators. Plastic nets are exposed to various biotic and abiotic mechanisms, potentially resulting in their degradation and the subsequent release of microplastics into the aquatic environment. To address this issue, professionals of the aquaculture industry are developing alternatives to conventional (petro-based) plastics, introducing nets made from biodegradable and recyclable materials, which appear to be promising alternatives. Despite the challenges associated with the complete degradation of most bioplastics in the environment, these materials are supposed to be more durable and have less impact on the environment. However, the current information on the fragmentation and the release of microplastics (MPs) from these materials is not documented. In this context, this study aimed to compare the chemical signature and the release of MPs and organic plastic additives (OPAs) from both biodegradable and conventional mussel nets. This assessment was carried out on pristine materials and after artificial aging under ultraviolet (UV) radiation in seawater. Nets were immersed in 1.6 µm filtered natural seawater and exposed to UV radiations for 35 and 57 days, respectively simulating 12 and 18 months of average natural solar irradiance in Europe. After characterizing the chemical composition of the two plastic materials using FTIR, the presence of OPAs was highlighted for each condition using TD(Py)-GC-HRMS. The quantity of MPs and OPAs released into seawater for each condition was also studied. The results will provide us with a better understanding of the degradation pattern of these plastic materials to assess their fate and potential impact(s) on the environment. This will provide valuable information to mussel farmers and stakeholders at a time when changes in practices are required. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558999/document
More Papers Like This
Evaluation of the emission potential (microplastics & organic additives) by conventional or biodegradable mussel nets
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the microplastic release and organic plastic additive emissions from conventional petro-based mussel nets versus biodegradable alternative nets by characterizing both pristine and UV-aged materials after immersion in filtered seawater for periods simulating 12 and 18 months of European solar irradiance. They found that while biodegradable nets are promoted as more environmentally friendly, both net types released measurable microplastics and organic additives upon UV aging, with the current information on biodegradable fragmentation previously undocumented.
Degradation of plastic materials in the marine environment: A mussel farm as a case study for the development of alternative mussel nets
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This study tested how different plastic materials used in mussel farming degrade after being submerged in seawater for up to three years. Some plastics remained intact while others broke down quickly, potentially releasing microplastics into the marine environment where mussels grow. The research is relevant to seafood safety because degrading plastic nets in mussel farms could be a source of microplastic contamination in the shellfish that people eat.
Review of biodegradable materials for aquaculture nets: Environmental performance and potential to reduce marine plastic pollution.
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Researchers reviewed advances in biodegradable polymer alternatives — including polyhydroxyalkanoates and starch-based blends — for aquaculture nets and ropes, finding promising mechanical stability and controlled biodegradation in field trials but identifying ongoing challenges in balancing operational durability with timely degradation and the absence of harmonized marine biodegradation standards.
Marine and freshwater mussels as biomonitors for microplastic concentrations: A comparative laboratory study
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Researchers compared marine and freshwater mussels as biomonitors for microplastic pollution in a controlled laboratory study, evaluating whether these filter-feeding bivalves can serve as a complementary monitoring tool to sampling nets — particularly for small microplastics under 25 µm that nets tend to miss.
Comparative analysis of microplastic release from aquaculture nets under different material, coating, and cleaning technology scenarios
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Laboratory abrasion and field tests showed that nylon aquaculture nets release over five times more microplastics than HDPE or UHMWPE alternatives, with premium coatings paradoxically increasing nylon emissions while having no effect on UHMWPE. Switching to UHMWPE nets and using robotic brushing rather than pressure or cavitation cleaning can substantially reduce microplastic emissions from salmon farming operations.
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