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Bivalves with potential for monitoring microplastics in South America
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Researchers tested three South American mussel species and found that all of them accumulated microplastics in their tissues, feces, and pseudofeces, suggesting these bivalves can serve as reliable bioindicators — living monitors — for microplastic contamination in coastal waterways.
Microplastic (<5mm) accumulation in water environments is an emerging concern issue, it can be absorbed throughout the food chain. Filter organisms are the most susceptible, so they have the potential to be an environmental sentinel. Thus, tests were carried out with three mussels species in order to investigate the filtration and prevalence of microplastic in them. The investigated bivalves have shown different forms of microplastics in soft tissues, feces and pseudofeces. However, the identification of polymer blends is still tricky. This outcome has indicated the potential of these bivalves to be used as bioindicators associated with this contaminant in environments.
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Using mussel as a global bioindicator of coastal microplastic pollution
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This review evaluates whether mussels can serve as reliable global indicators of coastal microplastic pollution. Researchers found that mussels are well suited for this role due to their wide geographic distribution, filter-feeding behavior, and demonstrated ability to accumulate microplastics from surrounding waters. The study identifies remaining challenges in standardizing monitoring methods but concludes that mussels offer a practical and ecologically relevant tool for tracking marine microplastic contamination.
Marine and freshwater mussels as biomonitors for microplastic concentrations: A comparative laboratory study
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Researchers compared marine and freshwater mussels as biomonitors for microplastic pollution in a controlled laboratory study, evaluating whether these filter-feeding bivalves can serve as a complementary monitoring tool to sampling nets — particularly for small microplastics under 25 µm that nets tend to miss.
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Researchers assessed the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator for microplastic pollution, focusing on improving quantification of small microplastics below 25 µm that conventional methods miss. Mussels were found to accumulate microplastics efficiently across size ranges, validating their use as biomonitors while highlighting the need for improved analytical methods.
Oysters and mussels as equivalent sentinels of microplastics and natural particles in coastal environments
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Researchers compared how oysters and mussels accumulate microplastics in a polluted Brazilian estuary and found both species performed equally well as biological monitors of contamination. Some of the highest microplastic levels ever recorded in shellfish were found at the most polluted sites. Since oysters and mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these contamination levels raise direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.
Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring
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Researchers placed freshwater mussels in three rivers in central Italy to study how they accumulate microplastics, plasticizers, and additives over time. They found small microplastics and chemical additives in both the gills and digestive tracts of the mussels, with polyamide being the most common polymer detected. The study demonstrates that freshwater bivalves can serve as effective biological monitors for tracking microplastic pollution in rivers.
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.