Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Food & Water Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

The Occurrence of Microplastics in Donax trunculus (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Collected along the Tuscany Coast (Mediterranean Sea)

Animals 2024 12 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Antonino Foti, Antonino Foti, P. G. Gucciardi Luca Nalbone, Luca Nalbone, Chiara Malloggi, Antonino Foti, Luca Nalbone, P. G. Gucciardi Luca Nalbone, Luca Nalbone, Antonino Foti, Filippo Giarratana, Filippo Giarratana, Luca Nalbone, Luca Nalbone, Luca Nalbone, Filippo Giarratana, Antonino Foti, Silvia Bartalena, Filippo Giarratana, Filippo Giarratana, Silvia Bartalena, Filippo Giarratana, Antonino Foti, Antonino Foti, Antonino Foti, Antonino Foti, Luca Nalbone, Margherita Guidi, Margherita Guidi, Antonino Foti, C. Corradini, P. G. Gucciardi Filippo Giarratana, P. G. Gucciardi Antonino Foti, Antonino Foti, P. G. Gucciardi Antonino Foti, Filippo Giarratana, Antonino Foti, P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi Francesca Susini, Francesca Susini, Luca Nalbone, Andrea Armani, P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi P. G. Gucciardi Filippo Giarratana, P. G. Gucciardi

Summary

Scientists found microplastics in wedge clams collected along the Tuscan coast of Italy, with an average of 0.18 confirmed microplastic particles per gram of tissue. Polyethylene and PET were the main plastic types found, appearing as both fibers and fragments. Based on typical consumption patterns, researchers estimated that people who eat these clams could be exposed to about 19 microplastics per person per year, classified as a moderate health risk level.

Polymers

PE PET

Models

Human

Microplastics (MPs) (0.1 µm-5 mm particles) have been documented in oceans and seas. Bivalve molluscs (BMs) can accumulate MPs and transfer to humans through the food chain. BMs (especially mussels) are used to assess MPs' contamination, but the genus Donax has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize MPs in D. trunculus specimens collected along the Tuscan coast (Italy), and to assess the potential risk for consumers. The samples (~10 g of tissue and intervalval liquid from 35 specimens) were digested using a solution of 10% KOH, subjected to NaCl density separation, and filtered through 5 μm pore-size filters. All items were morphologically classified and measured, and their mean abundance (MA) was calculated. Furthermore, 20% of them were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and, based on the obtained results, the MA was recalculated (corrected MA) and the annual human exposure was estimated. In the 39 samples analyzed, 85 items fibers (n = 45; 52.94%) and fragments (n = 40; 47.06%) were found. The MA was 0.23 ± 0.17 items/grww. Additionally, 83.33% of the items were confirmed as MPs (polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate). Based on the correct MA (0.18 MPs/grww), D. trunculus consumers could be exposed to 19.2 MPs/per capita/year. The health risk level of MPs was classified as level III (moderate).

Read via DOI PubMed PMC Full Text Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email