We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Use of the Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Mollusca, Bivalvia) as a Bioindicator of Microplastics Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems: A Case Study from Lake Iseo (North Italy)
AI summary Read the abstract
Invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from Lake Iseo in northern Italy accumulated microplastics in their tissues, supporting their use as sentinel bioindicators for freshwater microplastic monitoring and demonstrating their value for spatial pollution assessment.
The monitoring of microplastics pollution in freshwater environments trails behind its practice in marine ecosystems. We evaluated the use of the invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as a potential bioindicator of microplastic litter in freshwater lakes. Samples were collected from three sites (Lovere, Costa Volpino, Castro) at the northern end of Lake Iseo (one of the major subalpine lakes in north Italy) and compared for water physicochemical parameters, biometrical features of zebra mussels, and microplastics items/specimens (color, shape, size, and chemical composition). We hypothesized that since a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on the Oglio River discharges into this area of the lake, the microplastics in D.polymorpha could be measured and compared in samples from the three sites at different distances from the WWTP. There was no difference in the physicochemical water parameters and biometric features between the samples from the three sites, whereas there was a significant difference in items/specimen between the sites in decreasing order (mean ± standard deviation): Costa Volpino (0.23 ± 0.43) > Lovere (0.07 ± 0.25) > Castro (0.03 ± 0.18). The chi-square test showed a significant difference in shape, color, and chemical composition frequency in the samples from the three sites. The chemical composition of the microplastics was polyethylene terephthalate (45%), nylon (20%), polypropylene (20%), polyamide resin (10%), and polyvinyl chloride (5%). Our data show that the amount of microplastics the zebra mussel accumulated was greater the closer the sampling site to the WWTP. Our findings suggest that the zebra mussel may provide a useful tool to monitor microplastics pollution in lakes.
More Papers Like This
Accumulation of microplastics in Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) in the sand pit lake Kazichene, Bulgaria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from the sand pit lake Kazichene in Bulgaria, evaluating the species as a bioindicator of freshwater microplastic pollution. The study found microplastic particles in mussel tissues and discusses the utility of using this invasive species — rather than native bivalves — as a monitoring organism to protect local biodiversity while tracking contamination levels.
The Use of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as a Sentinel Species for the Microplastic Pollution of Freshwater: The Case of Beyhan Dam Lake, Turkey
AI summary Read the abstract
This study detected microplastics in zebra mussels from Beyhan Dam Lake in Turkey, finding an average of several particles per individual with fibers predominating, providing the first evidence of microplastic pollution in this freshwater bivalve species from Turkish inland waters.
Tracking the microplastic pollution in the freshwater environments of southeastern Türkiye: Usage of Unio delicatus, Unio Terminalis and Dreissena polymorpha as bioindicators of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined microplastic contamination in three freshwater mussel species collected from rivers and a dam lake in southeastern Turkey, finding relatively low average concentrations (under 1 microplastic per individual) but confirming that these mussels do accumulate plastic particles from their surroundings. Because mussels are filter feeders with a fixed lifestyle, they reflect local pollution levels well, making them useful sentinels for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems. The research adds to growing evidence that microplastics are now present even in inland freshwater species far from the ocean.
High microplastic exposure affects survival and health of Dreissena spp. mussels: implications for freshwater pollution monitoring
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether Dreissena mussels could serve as bioindicators for freshwater microplastic pollution by exposing them to polyethylene microbeads for two months. At high concentrations, the mussels showed decreased health indicators and increased mortality within 15 days, while lower concentrations had no significant effect. The study supports using these filter-feeding mussels as practical biological monitors for assessing microplastic contamination levels in freshwater ecosystems.
The Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a Biomonitor for Microplastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.