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Microplastics in four bivalve species and basis for using bivalves as bioindicators of microplastic pollution
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Researchers found microplastics in 80% of shellfish samples (scallops, mussels, oysters, and clams) collected across four seasons in Qingdao, China. PVC and rayon fibers were the most common plastic types, with different shellfish species accumulating different sizes and types of particles. Since these shellfish are commonly eaten by people, the findings highlight a direct route for microplastics to enter the human diet through seafood.
Microplastics in bivalves have caused widespread concern due to their potential health risk to humans. In this study, microplastics in the digestive systems of four locally cultured bivalve species (scallop Chlamys farreri, mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, oyster Crassostrea gigas, and clam Ruditapes philippinarum) in Qingdao, China, were analyzed and detected in 233 out of 290 bivalve samples (80%) over four seasons. The microplastic abundance in four species of bivalves ranged between 0.5 and 3.3 items/individual or 0.3 and 20.1 items/g wet weight digestive system, with significant species-specific and region-specific differences but no season-specific differences. Microfiber was the most predominant shape of all microplastics found. Eighteen types of polymer with diameters between 7 and 5000 μm were identified by μ-FT-IR (505 of 587 suspected items identified as microplastics) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rayon being the most abundant ones. Bivalves collected in summer contained more larger-sized microplastics. R. philippinarum accumulated more smaller-sized microplastics and showed different microplastic features compared with the other three species of bivalves. By comparing and analyzing the microplastic polymer types between each bivalve species and the ambient environment, microplastic in clam can best reflect the variability of microplastic polymer types in sediment among different areas. Mussels can reflect the variability of microplastic polymer types in water to an extent. Therefore, clam and mussel are recommended to serve as bioindicators for microplastic pollution in the sediment and water, respectively. The occurrence of microplastics pollution in bivalves worldwide is wide, and bivalves can act as the transporter of microplastics to humans. Our results suggest that bivalves have an important role as environmental bioindicators and the pollution of microplastics in bivalves needs attention.
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The occurrence and exposure of microplastics in bivalves from Qingdao, China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in bivalves such as clams and mussels from the coast of Qingdao, China, and assessed human dietary exposure from eating them. They found an average of about one microplastic particle per individual shellfish, with fibers and rayon being the most common types. The study suggests that regular bivalve consumption in the region contributes to ongoing human microplastic exposure.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in shellfish from Jiaozhou Bay, China
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characteristics in wild oysters and farmed clams from Jiaozhou Bay, China, finding contamination at moderate levels. Fibers dominated the microplastic composition in both species. As commercially important shellfish consumed by people, these organisms represent a human dietary exposure pathway for microplastics.
Microplastics in commercial bivalves from China
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Researchers analyzed microplastics in commercially sold bivalves from China, finding contamination across multiple species and geographic origins, with implications for human dietary microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.
Microplastics contamination in bivalves from the Daya Bay: Species variability and spatio-temporal distribution and human health risks
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in six species of bivalves from Daya Bay, China, finding microplastics present in 87 to 93% of individuals sampled. Sediment-dwelling bivalves had higher microplastic levels than water-dwelling species, and the types of microplastics found in the shellfish matched those in the surrounding seawater and sediment. A risk assessment based on polymer hazard levels indicated that microplastic contamination in these bivalves may pose health risks to humans who consume them as seafood.
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