ABUNDANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROPLASTICS IN MARKET BIVALVE Aulacomya Atra (MYTILIDAE: BIVALVIA)

Seafood contamination with microplastics is one major route for human intake. Shellfish are among the most important since most shellfish species are eaten fresh and entirely. The aim of the present study was to report the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commercial bivalve Aulacomya atra sold in fisheries from three Peruvian provinces. Market surveys were carried out and standard microplastic extraction, observation, and analysis methods were conducted. The mean microplastic abundance in the three provinces was 0.56 ± 0.08 MP g-1. Lima, the most populated province in Peru, presented the highest concentration (1.04 ± 0.17 MP g-1). The majority of the microplastics were fiber/lines (58.8 %) and blue (40.5 %). The polymer identity of most fiber/lines was polyester, suggesting microfibers that shed from clothes during laundry may be one major source of contamination. Other identified polymers were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The annual dietary microplastic intake by the Peruvian population was estimated to be ~48.18 MP person-1 year-1 via A. atra consumption only, although values could vary depending on the region. The need for a better supply chain, handling conditions, and further research are discussed.