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Beneath the surface: Exploring microplastic intricacies in Anadara granosa
Summary
Researchers examined blood cockles from major cultivation areas across Peninsular Malaysia and found microplastics in every sample tested. The most common particles were small fragments and fibers, with the highest contamination on the west coast, raising concerns about human exposure since Malaysia is the world's largest exporter of this popular shellfish.
Anadara granosa or blood cockles have been reported to be a candidate for biomonitoring agents due to their sedimentary nature and their nutrient uptake mechanisms. Yet, this bivalve is still regarded as a delicacy in Asian cuisine. Malaysia is the largest exporter of this sea product that contaminated cockles may also be experienced by the importing countries. However, the bioaccumulation of microplastics in A. granosa cultivated in Malaysia has not been extensively studied. It is crucial to comprehend the risk posed to humans by consuming A. granosa in their diet. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the levels of microplastic accumulation in A. granosa from major exporters in Peninsular Malaysia, to evaluate the associated risk of microplastics on the species, and to estimate daily human consumption of microplastics through the consumption of A. granosa. The abundance of microplastics was quantified through the use of a stereo microscope, and the polymer type was determined using FTIR and micro-FTIR. Findings from this investigation revealed that all samples of A. granosa were contaminated with microplastics, with the highest levels of accumulation found in bivalves collected from the west coast (0.26 ± 0.15 particles/g) of Peninsular Malaysia. Fragment and fiber microplastics, measuring between 0.05 and 0.1 mm in size, were found to be the most prevalent in A. granosa, with blue being the dominant identified colour and rayon being the most common polymer type. Microplastic risk assessment due to the presence of polyacrylate, polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resulted in a high risk of contamination for A. granosa. It was further determined that the current estimated dietary intake (EDI) suggests that consumers of A. granosa uptake approximately 21.8-93.5 particles/person/year of microplastics. This study highlights that A. granosa accumulates microplastics, which could potentially result in bioaccumulation and biomagnification in humans through consumption.