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First comparative assessment of contamination by plastics and non-synthetic particles in three bivalve species from an Italian sub-alpine lake
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Researchers compared how much plastic and non-plastic particle contamination three species of freshwater mussels accumulated in Lake Maggiore, Italy, finding that all three species took up low but measurable amounts of synthetic and natural fibers regardless of whether they were native or invasive. The results highlight that even a major Italian lake shows microplastic contamination in filter-feeding animals, with particle loads dropping notably in 2020, possibly due to reduced human activity during COVID-19 lockdowns.
This study aimed to compare the contamination from plastics and non-synthetic particles in the three freshwater bivalve mollusks Unio elongatulus, (native) and Corbicula fluminea and Dreissena polymorpha (invasive), collected in Lake Maggiore, the second greatest Italian lake. Organisms were collected from eight sites located throughout the lake, during three years (2019-2021). The quali-quantitative characterization of particles has been carried out using a Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope System (μFT-IR). Results showed that both plastics and non-synthetic particles released in the water are taken up by bivalves, even though low intake-up to 6 particles/individuals-were measured for all the three species. Microfibers of both synthetic (polyester, polyamide) and natural (cellulose) origin represented the particles mostly ingested by bivalves. A significant decrease of particle loads was observed in 2020 with respect to 2019 and 2021, significantly different for D. polymorpha and U. elongatulus, suggesting a transient reduction of the particle release in the lake in this year. Our findings highlight the need to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of uptake and clearance of these contaminants by filter feeding organisms, and their adverse consequences in realistic environmental conditions.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.