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In-depth analysis of microplastics reported from animal and algae seafood species: Implications for consumers and environmental health
Summary
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in several seafood species and algae from the Bay of Biscay in Spain and estimated how much people might consume through their diet. They found that eating animal-based seafood carried a higher risk of microplastic ingestion than eating seaweed. The findings highlight that seafood is a meaningful source of human microplastic exposure, with implications for both consumer and environmental health.
Macroalgae are able to retain environmental microplastics (MPs). The potential ingestion of MP through Atlantic agar Gelidium corneum and different animal species (hake, glass eels, mussels, topshells, anemones, sea cucumbers) that are seafood resources in Spain, was estimated from published MPs data calculating daily dose and annual ingestion rate. The study region was Asturias (SW Bay of Biscay). Lower MP ingestion rate from algae than from any animal analysed revealed a reduced risk of MP intake, probably because the alga is harvested from quite clean subtidal zones. However, MP bioconcentration in Atlantic agar was higher than in sea cucumbers, mussels or glass eels. Compared with other algae, G. corneum ranked the highest for MP retention rate, perhaps for its intricate branching and gelatinous surface, suggesting a possible use in MP bioremediation. More experimental studies in MP uptake by macroalgae are recommended to understand their implication in the accumulation of this pollutant.