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Oysters and mussels as equivalent sentinels of microplastics and natural particles in coastal environments
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Researchers compared how oysters and mussels accumulate microplastics in a polluted Brazilian estuary and found both species performed equally well as biological monitors of contamination. Some of the highest microplastic levels ever recorded in shellfish were found at the most polluted sites. Since oysters and mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these contamination levels raise direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.
Filter-feeder organisms such as oyster and mussels are exposed to particles like microplastics (MPs). Although widely used to monitor MPs contamination, little is known about their performance as sentinels, which are biological monitors accumulating contaminants without significant adverse effects. This study comparatively evaluated the quantitative and qualitative accumulation of MPs by oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) and mussels (Perna perna) along a gradient of contamination in a highly urbanized estuarine system of Brazil. In the most contaminated site, both species presented the worst status of nutrition and health, and also one of the highest MPs levels reported for molluscs to date (up to 44.1 particles·g). Despite some inter-specific differences, oysters and mussels were suitable and showed an equivalent performance as sentinels, reflecting the gradient condition demonstrated for other contaminants in the region. The similarity in MPs accumulation was also observed for qualitative aspects (polymer composition, sizes, shapes and colors). Particles were mostly <1000 μm, fibrous, colorless and composed by cellulose and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Thus, despite small variations, the usage of C. brasiliana and P. perna is recommended and provides reliable information for environmental levels of microplastics.
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Microplastic in bivalves of an urbanized Brazilian estuary: Human modification, population density and vegetation influence
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in oysters, clams, and mussels from a heavily urbanized estuary in Brazil, finding that industrial and port activities were stronger predictors of contamination than population density. Clams accumulated the most microplastics, and the study highlights how shellfish from polluted coastal areas can serve as indicators of the microplastic levels humans may be exposed to through seafood.
Microplastics in rocky shore mollusks of different feeding habits: An assessment of sentinel performance
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Researchers examined microplastic levels in three types of rocky shore mollusks with different feeding habits along a pollution gradient in Brazil. Filter-feeding oysters accumulated the most microplastics, followed by plant-eating limpets and meat-eating snails, suggesting that how an animal feeds affects how much plastic it ingests. The study proposes that all three species could serve as useful sentinel organisms for monitoring microplastic contamination in coastal areas.
Microplastic contamination in tropical estuaries: Contrasting accumulation patterns in oysters driven by local features and condition index
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in oysters from two estuaries in Brazil, even in areas with fewer people living nearby, meaning nearby development isn't the only factor causing contamination. Since oysters are commonly eaten and filter large amounts of water as they feed, this research matters because it shows that microplastic contamination in our seafood may be more widespread and harder to predict than previously thought, even in seemingly cleaner waters.
Occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals accumulation in native oysters Crassostrea Gasar in the Paranaguá estuarine system, Brazil
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Researchers examined native oysters from the Paranagua estuarine system in Brazil for both microplastic contamination and heavy metal accumulation. They found high levels of microplastics in all oyster samples, along with elevated concentrations of several heavy metals, and observed potential interactions between the two pollutant types. The study raises concerns about the combined exposure risks from microplastics and heavy metals in seafood harvested from polluted estuaries.
Assessing the relationship between the abundance and properties of microplastics in water and in mussels
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Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastic levels in coastal waters and in mussels at 25 sites along China's coastline. They found a strong positive correlation, meaning that mussels in more polluted waters contained more microplastics, and that mussels preferentially ingested smaller particles. The study supports the use of mussels as biological indicators for monitoring microplastic contamination in marine environments.
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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.