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Evidence of Microplastics Accumulation in Selected Marine Molluscs for Consumption in The Meranti Islands of Riau Indonesia
Summary
Researchers found microplastics — primarily fibers — in all four species of edible marine molluscs sampled from the Meranti Islands in Indonesia's Riau region, with larger individuals ingesting more plastic. Since these shellfish are consumed whole by local communities, microplastic contamination in them represents a direct pathway for human exposure through seafood.
Abstract Microplastics pollution in the marine environment and has been an ongoing problem over the years. Marine molluscs are at high risk of microplastic contamination due to their filter-feeding mechanism and pose a risk to food safety and consumers as they are ingested whole. Data regarding the levels of microplastics in seafood from Riau are still limited. In this study, microplastics were identified, quantified, and classified in samples of selected marine molluscs for consumption in the Meranti Islands of Riau, Indonesia. Twenty individuals of each species which consisted of three different sizes (small, medium and large) were collected and analyzed for their microplastics content. The results identified three types of microplastics, namely fiber, fragments, and films, with fiber being the most dominant type. The average abundance of microplastics in G. virens, G. erosa, A. granosa and C. obtusa were 48.55; 33.05-47.58; 34.22; and 24.17 items/individual respectively. Significant difference (p<0.05) between species were identified, except between samples of G. erosa from Malacca Straits and Air Hitam Straits. Microplastic abundance was also found to be significantly different between size for all species (p<0.05). This study also revealed a positive relationship between the size and the ingested microplastics by the organisms.