Study of microplastics ingestion by perna viridis as bioindicator in Sungai Balang Muar, Johor

Microplastics are anthropogenic pollutants present in various morphologies of less than 5 mm in diameter. The widespread microplastic contamination in marine environments creates a concern of its impacts to both water supply and food chain. This study investigated the microplastic contamination in seawater by determining the presence of microplastics in green mussel Perna viridis collected from Sungai Balang, Johor. Perna viridis is considered as a biological indicator of marine microplastic pollution due to its various characteristics including its geographical distribution in marine environments. It was discovered that microplastics in seawater and mussel samples are dominated by fibres, followed by fragments, with various shapes and colours. The presence of microplastics in mussels aged 5 to 6 months old were 5.56 ± 8.53 items/g and 13.60 ± 3.58 items/ individual. While for mussels aged 8 to 12 months old were 1.70 ± 20.07 items/g and 9.67 ± 3.58 items/individual. Meanwhile, the microplastics abundance in the seawater samples was 8.46 ± 1.15 items/L. The types of microplastics presence in the seawater and mussels samples which analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were commonly PS > PE > PP > PVC > PETE. The result from this study can be used as a baseline level of microplastic contamination in bivalve species aquaculture. It is a concern that the microplastic presence in seafood can bring negative consequences to human health. Therefore, thorough assessment of microplastics contamination should be conducted in seawater and marine biota for better awareness and understanding on the impacts as well as for future references.