0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastic contamination in edible American lobster (Homarus americanus) muscle tissue

Regional Studies in Marine Science 2025 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Justine Ammendolia, Amber LeBlanc, Amber LeBlanc, Amber LeBlanc, Amber LeBlanc, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Amber LeBlanc, Justine Ammendolia, Noreen E. Kelly, Noreen E. Kelly, Tony R. ‎Walker Justine Ammendolia, Amber LeBlanc, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Justine Ammendolia, Noreen E. Kelly, Vittorio Maselli, Noreen E. Kelly, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Deonie Castle, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Noreen E. Kelly, Tony R. ‎Walker Erika F. Merschrod S., Erika F. Merschrod S., Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Erika F. Merschrod S., Tony R. ‎Walker Justine Ammendolia, Deonie Castle, Justine Ammendolia, Deonie Castle, Justine Ammendolia, Justine Ammendolia, Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Amber LeBlanc, Tony R. ‎Walker Amber LeBlanc, Justine Ammendolia, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Noreen E. Kelly, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Erika F. Merschrod S., Justine Ammendolia, Tony R. ‎Walker Erika F. Merschrod S., Erika F. Merschrod S., Noreen E. Kelly, Noreen E. Kelly, Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Erika F. Merschrod S., Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Justine Ammendolia, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Vittorio Maselli, Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker Tony R. ‎Walker

Summary

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the edible muscle tissue of American lobsters from four commercial fishing sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. All lobsters examined contained microplastics at a mean concentration of 6.65 particles per gram of wet tissue, with smaller lobsters showing higher concentrations and the most common particles being small enough to potentially translocate within tissues.

Polymers
Body Systems

This study investigated internalized microplastic (MP) concentration, size, and polymer composition in the edible muscle tissue of Homarus americanus collected from four commercial lobster fishing sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. Mean MP concentration across all lobsters was 6.65 ± 5.36 MPs g −1 wet weight tissue, and all lobsters examined contained MPs. MP concentration was inversely correlated with lobster size (i.e., tail length), and varied depending on sampling location, with significantly higher MP concentrations in lobsters from the south-west area. The mean MP diameter was 3.65 ± 0.47 µm, while the most common MP size classes found indicate translocation susceptibility of lobster muscle tissue from the smallest MPs (≤4 µm). The most abundant polymers identified were polyethylene vinyl acetate (25 %), polyester (25 %), and polysulfone (19 %). Findings highlight the need for more muscle tissue-specific analysis to better understand the ecological implications of MP contamination in lobsters. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of MP exposure on lobsters. • Microplastics (MPs) were investigated in Homarus americanus in Nova Scotia, Canada. • All lobsters examined contained internalized microplastics in edible tail muscle tissues. • MP sizes in lobster muscle tissue indicate translocation susceptibility of the smallest MPs (≤4 µm). • Most abundant polymers were polyethylene vinyl acetate (25 %), polyester (25 %), and polysulfone (19 %). • Further research is needed to understand long-term effects of microplastic exposure on lobsters.

Sign in to start a discussion.

Share this paper