Exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis to Microplastics: Accumulation, Depuration and Evaluation of the Expression Levels of a Selection of Molecular Biomarkers

Microplastic contamination is a growing marine environmental issue with possible consequences for seafood safety. Filter feeders are the target species for microplastic (MPs) pollution because they filter large quantities of seawater to feed. In the present study, an experimental contamination of Mytilus galloprovincialis was conducted using a mixture of the main types of MPs usually present in the seawater column (53% filaments, 30% fragments, 3% granules) in order to test the purification process as a potential method for removing these contaminants from bivalves intended for human consumption. A set of molecular biomarkers was also evaluated in order to detect any variations in the expression levels of some genes associated with biotransformation and detoxification, DNA repair, cellular response, and the immune system. Our results demonstrate that: (a) the purification process can significantly reduce MP contamination in M. galloprovincialis; (b) a differential expression level has been observed between mussels tested and in particular most of the differences were found in the gills, thus defining it as the target organ for the use of these biomarkers. Therefore, this study further suggests the potential use of molecular biomarkers as an innovative method, encouraging their use in next-generation marine monitoring programs.