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Monitoring microplastic pollution: The potential and limitations of Nephrops norvegicus
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This review assessed the use of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) as a bioindicator for microplastic pollution monitoring, evaluating both the advantages of this commercially important species and the limitations of using gastric pouches for consistent surveillance.
Microplastics are a major global concern in the marine environment. The use of marine biota to monitor MP pollution has been previously highlighted as a method of providing data. This review focuses on the current data available on the presence of microplastics in Nephrops norvegicus, a commercially important seafood species, highlighting the advantages and limitations of the species to determine its potential use for monitoring microplastic pollution. At present, there is no harmonized and standardised methodologies for microplastic analysis available, therefore, this review has proposed future research on microplastics at a European scale. Given the complexity of microplastics present in the marine environment, the authors recommend a more holistic approach with the integration of Nephrops and sediments along with other species and matrices to cover all ecosystem compartments to provide a comprehensive database of microplastic levels and trends in the marine environment.
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Plastics, prawns, and patterns: Microplastic loadings in Nephrops norvegicus and surrounding habitat in the North East Atlantic.
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Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and surrounding habitat in the North East Atlantic were sampled for microplastics, and both the organisms and their environment contained plastic contamination. Microplastic presence in Norway lobster, a commercially important seafood species, raises concerns about human dietary exposure. The species' burrowing behavior and position in the food chain make it a useful bioindicator of seafloor plastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in the Clyde sea area: a study using the indicator species Nephrops norvegicus
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Researchers used Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) as an indicator species to assess microplastic pollution in the Clyde Sea, finding particles in a significant proportion of individuals examined. The results establish a pollution baseline for this important Scottish fishery and raise concerns about how microplastic ingestion may affect the health of commercially harvested shellfish.
Progress in selecting marine bioindicators for nanoplastics ecological risk assessment
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Researchers reviewed the state of knowledge on nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — in marine environments, identifying major gaps in our ability to measure them and assess their ecological risks. The review calls for more realistic exposure studies using diverse polymer types and chronic low-dose conditions, and outlines which marine species could serve as best indicators for nanoplastic monitoring.
Quantification of microplastic ingestion by the decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus from Irish waters
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Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in 150 Norway lobsters collected from five Irish fishing grounds. About 69% of the animals had ingested microplastics, averaging 1.75 items per individual, with fibers accounting for 98% of particles found. The study estimates that human exposure to microplastics through Irish seafood consumption could range from 15 to 4,471 particles per year.
Microplastics in Global Marine Waters and Biota: Effectiveness of Potential Bioindicators in Mirroring Local Pollution Levels
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This review assessed the global occurrence of microplastics in marine waters and biota and evaluated the effectiveness of potential bioindicator species for monitoring plastic pollution. The authors find that standardizing bioindicator protocols is essential for tracking the effectiveness of microplastic mitigation efforts.
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