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Do microplastic contaminated seafood consumption pose a potential risk to human health?
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Researchers mapped microplastic presence in commercially important marine species including mussels, clams, crabs, and fish from the Ria Formosa lagoon and south coast of Portugal. They found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of all species examined, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The study raises questions about the potential health implications of consuming microplastic-contaminated seafood, though more research is needed to fully assess the risk.
Microplastics are present in all parts of the ocean and can have deleterious effects on marine resources. The aim of this work was to map the presence of microplastics in commercial marine species such as bivalves (mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and clams Scrobicularia plana), crabs (Carcinus maenas) as well as fish (Mullus surmuletus) to relate microplastics levels to pollution sources, assess possible impact on marine food chains and on human health. These species were collected from several sites of the Ria Formosa lagoon and along the south coast of Portugal. A quantitative assessment (number, size and color) and typology of microplastics were made in these species. Only one green fragment of polypropylene was detected in the gills of the crabs, while a blue polyethylene fragment was detected in the hepatopancreas of the mullets. Moreover, no microplastics were present in S. plana nor in the crabs whole soft tissues. Among mussels, 86% of microplastics were present from all sites and the number, size and color were site specific. Mussels from the west side of the coast (Sites 1-3) had the highest levels of MPs per mussel and per weight compared to the other sites, probably related to the impact of touristic activity, fishing gears, fresh water and sewage effluents along with the hydrodynamics of the area.
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Macro and microplastic intake in seafood variates by the marine organism's feeding behaviour: Is it a concern to human health?
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination across 26 species of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans from Portuguese waters and found plastic fragments in over 70 percent of specimens. The type and amount of contamination varied with each species' feeding behavior, with bottom-feeding organisms generally ingesting more particles. Importantly, no evidence of microplastic transfer from the digestive tract to muscle tissue was found, though the study notes that consuming whole organisms like shellfish still poses an exposure risk.
Microplastic contamination in marine mussels from the Atlantic coast of North Portugal and human risk of microplastic intake through mussel consumption
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Researchers analyzed wild mussels from Portugal's Atlantic coast and found microplastics in all samples, with an average of about 1.6 particles per gram of mussel tissue. Based on typical Portuguese seafood consumption patterns, the estimated annual human intake of microplastics from mussels alone was calculated, highlighting that regular shellfish consumers face meaningful microplastic exposure through their diet.
Microplastics in Marine and Estuarine Species From the Coast of Portugal
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in five marine and estuarine species collected from the coast of Portugal, including mussels, clams, and polychaetes. They found microplastics in all species examined, with fibers being the most common type, and noted differences in contamination levels between sampling sites. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic pollution in commercially relevant Portuguese seafood species.
Occurrence, sources and potential human health risk of microplastics in seafood species
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Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in seafood products available in local markets, identifying plastics in multiple species including fish, shrimp, and bivalves, and estimated potential human dietary intake based on consumption data. The study found that seafood lovers could ingest thousands of microplastic particles per year through regular consumption, with shellfish representing the highest per-serving exposure.
Microplastics in commercial bivalves harvested from intertidal seagrasses and sandbanks in the Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal
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Three commercially harvested bivalve species from Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal, were found to contain microplastics in soft tissues, with Ruditapes decussatus averaging 18.4 MP items/g wet weight — the highest among the species tested — raising food safety concerns.
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