Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in cultured green mussels Perna viridis in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines

Microplastic ingestion by marine organisms is becoming an emergency threat to seafood industry, with farmed mussels as of particular interest. The context of trophic transfer accords that humans are at large into exposure to microplastic through its consumption. In the province of Sorsogon, Philippines, green mussel Perna viridis is sorted into various ‘grading label’: Small (5.0-6.9 cm), Medium (7.0-8.9 cm) and Jumbo (≥9.0 cm) and are marketed within and outside the province. Total microplastic varied from 0.31 to 2.5 items/ individual. Mussel size ranged from 5.0-6.9 cm showed the highest microplastics (2.57 items/ individual) while mussels below 2.9 cm has the least microplastic (0.31 item/individual). The majority of ingested microplastics were lines, while their colors and sizes varied. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated organosiloxane and polyethylene terephthalate as the most common polymer type identified. The results suggested that microplastics detected in the mussels are relatively within the narrow range with no significant differences of its distribution across its categorical sizes. With the results can be used as a baseline contribution for the risk assessment of microplastic pollution in Sorsogon bay.