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Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring
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Freshwater mussels (Anodonta cygnea) deployed in three Italian rivers accumulated microplastics primarily in their gills and digestive tracts, with polyamide (nylon) fibers being the most common type found. The study also detected plasticizers and additives within the bivalves, demonstrating that these organisms can serve as effective sentinels for monitoring the full chemical footprint of plastic pollution in river systems.
Microplastics are widespread in freshwater environments and could impact these ecosystems. Bivalves are freshwater organisms that are particularly exposed to microplastic contamination. Therefore, in this preliminary study, the accumulation of microplastics, plasticizers, and additives in the freshwater bivalves Anodonta cygnea through active biomonitoring was investigated. Specimens commercially bought were exposed in three rivers in Central Italy for different exposure times: short (1 month) and long (3 months). The gills and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were analyzed separately to evaluate the possible uptake and ingestion of particles via Micro-FTIR. For the first time, small microplastics (SMPs, 5-100 µm), plasticizers, additives, and other micro-litter components, e.g., natural and non-plastic synthetic fibers (APFs) were identified in the bivalve A. cygnea. The most abundant polymer in the gills (94.4%), and GITs (66.1%) was polyamide, which had the highest concentration in each river. A decrease in SMPs' abundance was observed over time in the gills in each river, while the abundance in GIT increased. Compared to polymers, a greater variety of APFs was observed in rivers. The APFs changed during the time of exposure and between different rivers more evidently than polymers, allowing a clearer identification of the possible sources. These results highlighted plastic pollution by SMPs using freshwater bivalves as sentinel organisms and the need to investigate further the additives that can be proxies of the presence of microplastics in the environment and biota.
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Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring
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Researchers placed freshwater mussels in three rivers in central Italy to study how they accumulate microplastics, plasticizers, and additives over time. They found small microplastics and chemical additives in both the gills and digestive tracts of the mussels, with polyamide being the most common polymer detected. The study demonstrates that freshwater bivalves can serve as effective biological monitors for tracking microplastic pollution in rivers.
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This study examined the contamination, uptake, and elimination of microplastics in freshwater mussels, extending findings from marine systems to freshwater filter feeders. The research provides baseline data on how microplastics accumulate in freshwater bivalves, which are important bioindicators and food sources.
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Green mussels from a river in Sarawak, Malaysia, all contained microplastics, mostly tiny fibers and fragments made of nylon, polypropylene and polystyrene. Mussels with more microplastics tended to have lower soft tissue weight, and the detected plastics were classified as high hazard based on their chemical makeup.
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