We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Comparison of Methods to Quantify Nano- and/or Microplastic (NMPs) Deposition in Wild-Caught Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) Growing in a Heavily Urbanized, Subtropical Estuary (Galveston Bay, USA)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared multiple analytical methods to quantify nano- and microplastic contamination in wild eastern oysters from Galveston Bay, Texas. The study found up to 200 microplastic particles in individual oysters, with polymer composition varying by location within the bay, and demonstrated that different detection methods can yield complementary information about contamination levels.
Nano- and microplastics (NMPs) in waterways reflect the impact of anthropogenic activities. This study examined spatial variations in the presence and types of NMPs in Galveston Bay (Texas, USA) surface waters and eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). The results reveal most MPs carried by surface waters are fibers > films > fragments. Up to 200 MPs were present in individual oysters [=1.88 (± 0.22 SE) per g wet weight]. Oyster health, based on condition index, varied spatially, but was not correlated with MP load. Based on attenuated total reflectance—Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, polyamide and polypropylene were frequently found in waters in the upper bay while ethylene propylene and polyethylene terephthalate were more common in the lower parts of the bay. Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed a very large range in concentrations of NMPs, from 28 to 10,925 µg ∑NMP/g wet weight (or 172 to 67,783 µg ∑NMP/g dry weight) in oysters. This chemical analysis revealed four main types of plastics present in oysters regardless of location: polypropylene, nylon 66, polyethylene and styrene butadiene rubber. Based on this finding, the average daily intake of NMPs estimated for adult humans is 0.85 ± 0.45 mg NMPs/Kg of body weight/day or a yearly intake of 310 ± 164 mg NMPs/Kg of body weight/year. These findings reveal higher body burdens of plastics in oysters are revealed by the chemical analysis relative to the traditional approach; this is not unexpected given the higher sensitivity and selectivity of mass spectrometry and inclusion of the nanoplastic particle range (i.e., <1 mm) in the sample preparation and analysis.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Content in Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from South Carolina, USA
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic content in oysters, water, and sediments from four estuaries in South Carolina, USA, quantifying contamination levels across these matrices in the commercially important Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica.
Current and Historic Levels of Persistent (PAHs, PCBs) and Emerging Pollutant (Nano-microplastics or NMPs) Body-Burdens in Oysters and Fish from an Urban-Industrialized Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured pollution levels in oysters and fish from Galveston Bay, a heavily industrialized waterway. Microplastic levels were far higher than older pollutants like PAHs and PCBs, and oysters contained more of all three pollutant types than fish muscle. This is among the first studies to measure microplastics in this area's fish and oysters using a newer testing method.
Prevalence of Microplastics in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica in the Chesapeake Bay: The Impact of Different Digestion Methods on Microplastic Properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Eastern oysters from three Chesapeake Bay sites were found to contain microplastics, with hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide digestion methods yielding the highest recovery rates, while nitric acid produced satisfactory results with better microplastic preservation.
MICROPLASTICS FOUND IN THE EASTERN OYSTER (Crassostrea virginica) AND THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
AI summary Read the abstract
Eastern oysters and surrounding water and sediment samples were collected from a US estuary and analyzed for microplastic content. Microplastics were found in both oysters and environmental matrices, though the oysters did not accumulate particles proportionally to environmental concentrations, suggesting selective ingestion. The study contributes to understanding how commercially important bivalves interact with microplastics in their natural habitat and what this means for seafood safety.
Iterative protocols for the extraction and quantitation of microplastics from marine sediments and oysters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed faster, more effective methods for extracting microplastics from marine sediments and farmed oysters, testing them on several plastic types. The sediment method recovered over 85% of plastics, and the oyster method recovered over 84% while breaking down organic material in just one hour. Applied to real samples from Portugal, both methods detected many microplastic fibers.
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.