We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantifying spatial variation in the uptake of microplastic by mussels using biodeposit traps: A field-based study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used novel biodeposit traps to measure how mussels in different field locations take up and excrete microplastics, finding significant spatial variation in uptake rates. Mussels can serve as natural biomonitors of local microplastic contamination, with their biodeposits revealing how much plastic is present in their environment.
Spatial uptake patterns of microplastics (MP) by marine species are largely unexplored under field conditions. A novel "biodeposit trap" that measure uptake and egestion of MP by suspension-feeders through the analysis of their biodeposits, was designed and used to estimate the spatial variation of these processes by mussels in field conditions. Traps containing wild or farmed mussels or control empty shells were deployed at three sites characterised by different MP concentrations and water flow conditions. A different MP dimensional composition was observed between MP pools present in biodeposit and control traps, with the latter shifted towards higher dimensional range (0.05-5 mm). Conversely, mussels accumulated small MP (0.02-0.05 mm) into their biodeposits without any significant difference between wild and farmed specimens. MP uptake rates were on average 4-5 times higher at the site where MP contamination was expected to be highest and where water flow conditions were considered moderate.
More Papers Like This
Mussels as Samplers of Regional Microplastic Contamination Trends
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined microplastic contamination in the tissues of Mytilus mussels from multiple coastal regions to assess how well mussels serve as bioindicators of environmental plastic pollution. Results helped clarify which environmental and physiological factors most influence microplastic uptake in these filter-feeding animals.
Is blue mussel caging an efficient method for monitoring environmental microplastics pollution?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared microplastics ingested by caged depurated blue mussels with those in native mussels and surrounding sediments along a pollution gradient near a WWTP, finding that 93% of transplanted mussels had ingested MPs after 6 weeks. The results validate mussel caging as an effective active biomonitoring method for environmental microplastic levels.
Assessing the relationship between the abundance and properties of microplastics in water and in mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
The Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a Biomonitor for Microplastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator for microplastic pollution, focusing on improving quantification of small microplastics below 25 µm that conventional methods miss. Mussels were found to accumulate microplastics efficiently across size ranges, validating their use as biomonitors while highlighting the need for improved analytical methods.
Where are we? Towards an understanding of the selective accumulation of microplastics in mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes published research on how mussels selectively accumulate microplastics, examining what factors such as particle size, shape, polymer type, and environmental conditions influence which plastics end up in mussel tissue versus being rejected. The study aims to improve the use of mussels as bioindicator species for monitoring marine microplastic pollution by identifying key variables that affect accumulation patterns.
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.