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A case study on microplastics pollution characteristics in fouling organisms in typical aquaculture bay, China
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A survey of microplastics in fouling organisms living on aquaculture structures in a Chinese coastal bay found significant differences in microplastic abundance between species, with fibers and blue-colored particles being the most common type. One snail species (N. radula) was observed physically grasping microplastics with its feeding structure, suggesting active ingestion. These findings point to aquaculture as both a source of plastic pollution and an ecosystem where marine organisms are routinely exposed to contaminated particles.
Microplastics (MPs) and fouling organisms are prevalent in oceans worldwide. The study aims to investigate the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms. The study found significant inter-specific differences in the MPs abundance, while the length of MPs is consistent. The average number of MPs in N. exigua is 0.00 ± 0.00. There is a correlation between MPs abundance and weight in sessile group, while gastropods don't. Direct observation has demonstrated that the radulae of N. radula can envelop MPs. Fiber and blue are the predominant forms and colors of MPs found in fouling organisms. It is noteworthy that all film and fragment MPs observed were of a blue hue and had a size limitation of 500 μm. The characteristics of MPs between sessile organisms are more similar than those between gastropods. This study has improved our understanding of the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms, specifically gastropods.
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across water, sediment, and marine organisms in Xiangshan Bay, a major mariculture area in China, finding that intensive aquaculture in the enclosed inner bay concentrated microplastics and that fish ingested more particles than other organisms.
Accumulation of microplastics in typical commercial aquatic species: A case study at a productive aquaculture site in China
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Researchers assessed microplastic accumulation in commercial fish, bivalves, and shrimp at an intensive aquaculture site in Xiangshan Bay, China. They found microplastics in all species sampled, mostly cellulose and polypropylene fibers, with aquaculture activities contributing to sediment contamination. However, the overall accumulation levels in the seafood were relatively low, suggesting that microplastics may not substantially increase health risks from consuming these species at this site.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in shellfish from Jiaozhou Bay, China
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characteristics in wild oysters and farmed clams from Jiaozhou Bay, China, finding contamination at moderate levels. Fibers dominated the microplastic composition in both species. As commercially important shellfish consumed by people, these organisms represent a human dietary exposure pathway for microplastics.
Microplastics contamination in bivalves from the Daya Bay: Species variability and spatio-temporal distribution and human health risks
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in six species of bivalves from Daya Bay, China, finding microplastics present in 87 to 93% of individuals sampled. Sediment-dwelling bivalves had higher microplastic levels than water-dwelling species, and the types of microplastics found in the shellfish matched those in the surrounding seawater and sediment. A risk assessment based on polymer hazard levels indicated that microplastic contamination in these bivalves may pose health risks to humans who consume them as seafood.
Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Barnacles and Wild Bivalves on the Coast of the Yellow Sea, China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in wild barnacles and bivalves along the Yellow Sea coast of China. They found microplastics in all sampled organisms, with fibers being the dominant type, and observed spatial variation in contamination levels across different coastal sites. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution in wild shellfish populations that are smaller and potentially more vulnerable than farmed species.
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