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Microplastic in clams: An extensive spatial assessment in south Brazil
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in clams collected from extensive coastal regions of southern Brazil. They found microplastics in the soft tissues of clams across all sampling sites, with contamination levels influenced by proximity to urban areas, rivers, and local water flow patterns. The study highlights that even organisms in less urbanized coastal areas are accumulating microplastics, raising concerns about widespread contamination in shellfish habitats.
Microplastic pollution is becoming a continuously growing environmental concern, while bivalve mollusks are particularly vulnerable due to their sessile habits and feeding through water filtration processes. Microplastic incidence in soft tissues of the clam Amarilladesma mactroides was assessed along unconsolidated substrates distributed in extensive coastal regions of southern Brazil. Influence of urbanization levels, distance to rivers and local hydrodynamics on microplastic accumulation by the clam was tested. The average concentration of microplastics was high (3.09 ± 2.11 particles.g), considering 16 sampled sites. Particles were mainly composed by polyamide, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, while were mainly smaller, fibrous and colorless. High urbanization and closer proximity to rivers insured higher contamination, which is a trend observed globally. No influence of coastal hydrodynamics was seen. Considering obtained findings, A. mactroides presents good potential to be used as a valuable tool to assess microplastic contamination in unconsolidated substrates of beach areas.
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Microplastic in bivalves of an urbanized Brazilian estuary: Human modification, population density and vegetation influence
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in oysters, clams, and mussels from a heavily urbanized estuary in Brazil, finding that industrial and port activities were stronger predictors of contamination than population density. Clams accumulated the most microplastics, and the study highlights how shellfish from polluted coastal areas can serve as indicators of the microplastic levels humans may be exposed to through seafood.
Microplastics in a mosaic of Marine Protected Areas from southeastern Brazil: An assessment based on filter-feeding bivalves
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Researchers used filter-feeding bivalves as biological monitors to assess microplastic contamination across 28 marine protected areas along a heavily populated stretch of coastline in southeastern Brazil. They found microplastics in bivalves from all sites surveyed, demonstrating that protected status alone does not shield marine areas from plastic pollution. The study highlights how diffuse, transboundary plastic contamination reaches even designated conservation zones.
Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics in intertidal sediment and soft tissues of four species of Bivalvia from Southeast Brazilian urban beaches
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Researchers found 100% microplastic contamination in intertidal sediments and four bivalve species from urbanized Brazilian beaches, identifying polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET polymers in organisms commonly consumed by humans.
Microplastic in bivalves from the heavily contaminated Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Scientists tested mussels and oysters from Guanabara Bay in Brazil—one of Latin America's most polluted waterways—and found some of the highest microplastic levels ever recorded in shellfish there, especially near cities and ports. Since these are the same types of shellfish people eat, this study is a reminder that seafood from polluted coastal waters may carry significant plastic contamination, though more research is needed to understand what that means for our health.
Assessment of microplastic contamination in clams and shrimp from estuarine environments of Goa: implications for environmental health and food safety
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Researchers examined clams and shrimp from estuarine environments in Goa, India, and found microplastics present in both species and their surrounding waters, with shrimp from one site showing particularly high contamination and bioaccumulation. The particles were predominantly polyamide, polyethylene, and polystyrene fibers and fragments, likely originating from fishing, tourism, and waste disposal activities. The findings raise concerns about food safety for local and tourist populations who regularly consume seafood from these coastal areas.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.