Microplastic Burden in Native (Cambarus Appalachiensis) and Non-Native (Faxonius Cristavarius) Crayfish Along Semi-Rural and Urban Streams in Southwest Virginia, USA

Microplastic burden in native (Cambarus appalachiensis) and non-native (Faxonius cristavarius) crayfish along semi-rural and urban streams in southwest Virginia, USA

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Researchers conducted the first comparative study of microplastic contamination in native and non-native crayfish species along semi-rural and urban streams in southwest Virginia. They found significantly higher microplastic concentrations in urban surface water compared to semi-rural areas, and the non-native crayfish species showed greater microplastic body burden than the native species. The findings suggest that urbanization influences microplastic exposure in freshwater organisms and that invasive species may accumulate plastics differently than native ones.

Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Red Swamp Crayfish

Surveillance of Microplastic Pollution in Central Virginia Freshwater Ecosystems

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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in crayfish from two streams in central Virginia, examining both digestive tracts and gill filaments. Microplastics were detected in crayfish from both sites, with fibers being the most common type. The study extends freshwater microplastic research to a commonly found and ecologically important benthic invertebrate in North American streams.

Spatial distribution and characterization of microplastics in crayfish from inland waters of Türkiye

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Researchers analyzed 200 crayfish from eight Turkish lakes and detected microplastics in 62% of individuals, with significant spatial variation linked to land use and wastewater inputs, and polyethylene and PET fibers and fragments predominating. Freshwater crayfish prove effective bioindicators for mapping microplastic pollution across inland water bodies, revealing how human activity patterns drive contamination of food species consumed by local communities.

Microplastics in Snails from an Urbanized Creek

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Aquatic snails collected from an urbanized creek in Knoxville, Tennessee were found to contain an average of more than 12 microplastic particles each, with microfibers comprising 92% of the 212 total particles recovered from just 10 specimens. This study demonstrates that urban freshwater invertebrates are heavily exposed to microplastics, with clothing-derived microfibers as the dominant source, raising concerns about contamination moving up the food chain.