We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparative profiling and exposure assessment of microplastics in differently sized Manila clams from South Korea by μFTIR and Nile Red staining
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared microplastic contamination in differently sized Manila clams from South Korea using FTIR and Nile Red staining, finding that larger clams accumulated more microplastics and that polymer types varied with clam size and habitat.
The accumulation of microplastics in marine organisms is an emerging concern. Due to trophic transfer, the safety of seafood is under investigation in view of the potential negative effects of microplastics on human health. In this study, market samples of Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from South Korea were segregated into two groups of considerably different size (p < 0.05), namely small clams with shell length of 40.69 ± 3.97 mm, and large clams of shell length 51.19 ± 2.86 mm. Comparative profiling of the number, size, shape, and polymer type of microplastics were performed using μFTIR imaging and Nile red staining. Overall, μFTIR detected only 1559 microplastics while 1996 microplastics were counted based on staining from 61 Manila clams (30 small and 31 large), leading to an overestimation of 18 to 75 %. Comparable microplastics concentration, based on μFTIR, were observed at 2.70 ± 1.66 MP/g or 15.64 ± 9.25 MP/individual for the small samples, and 3.65 ± 1.59 MP/g or 41.63 ± 16.90 MP/individual for the large ones (p > 0.05). Particle diameters of 20-100 μm was the most dominant, accounting for 44.6 % and 46.5 % of all microplastics from the small and large groups, respectively. Particles, with a circularity (resemblance to a circle) value between 0.6 and 1.0, were the most prevalent, followed by fragments and fibers. At least 50 % of microplastics from the small and large samples were polystyrene, making it the most abundant polymer type. Despite the substantial difference in the size of the animals, only a weak to moderate correlation was observed between microplastics content and the physical attributes of the clams such as shell length and weight, (soft) tissue weight, and total weight (Spearman's coefficient < 0.5). The estimated intake of microplastics by the Korean population was 1232 MP/person/year via small clams, 1663 MP/person/year via large clams, and 1489 MP/person/year via clams independent of size.
More Papers Like This
Comparative profiling and exposure assessment of microplastics in differently sized Manila clams from South Korea by μFTIR and Nile Red staining
AI summary Read the abstract
A comparison of two popular methods for detecting microplastics in Manila clams found that Nile Red fluorescent staining identified about 28% more particles than infrared microscopy (microFTIR), though FTIR provided more reliable polymer identification. The study also found that larger clams tended to contain slightly more microplastics, highlighting the importance of clam size and analytical method choice when assessing how much plastic people may consume through seafood.
Characteristics of Microplastics in Bivalves of Rock Oysters and Sea Clams in the South Central Coast, Vietnam
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastics in rock oysters and sea clams collected from the South Central Coast of Vietnam using micro-FTIR spectroscopy. They found 1–21 particles per oyster individual and 4–5 per clam, with concentrations of 0.25–1.59 particles per gram of fresh tissue, predominantly fibers and fragments in the 50–500 µm range.
Analysis of microplastics of a broad size range in commercially important mussels by combining FTIR and Raman spectroscopy approaches
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an approach combining FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to analyze microplastics across a broad size range in commercially important mussels. They found that using both techniques together captured a wider spectrum of particle sizes and polymer types than either method alone. The study provides a more complete picture of microplastic contamination in seafood and highlights the importance of using complementary analytical methods for accurate assessment.
Investigation of microplastic contamination in blood cockles and green mussels from selected aquaculture farms and markets in Thailand
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in blood cockles and green mussels from aquaculture farms and markets in Thailand using fluorescence microscopy and micro-FTIR spectroscopy. They found microplastics present in all samples, with fibers being the most common shape and varying abundance levels across different collection sites. The study raises concerns about microplastic contamination in commercially farmed and sold bivalves as a pathway for human dietary exposure.
Application of Raman microspectroscopy for the characterization of microplastics in clam Chamelea gallina
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an extraction and filtration protocol using Raman microspectroscopy to characterize microplastics down to 1 μm in the clam Chamelea gallina, optimizing filter selection based on recovery rate, filtration time, readability, and cost.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.