We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
An effective method for evaluation of microplastic contaminant in gastropod from Taihu Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed and validated a method for isolating and characterizing microplastics from freshwater snails (Bellamya aeruginosa), a species commonly found in Chinese lakes. Application of the method revealed widespread microplastic contamination in wild snails from Taihu Lake, a heavily polluted freshwater body.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment. The isolation and characterization of microplastics can change, enabling science to elucidate the fate of microplastics in organisms. The main objective of the present study was to develop a rapid and effective method for the isolation, characterization, and quantification of microplastics from gastropod, and then evaluate the microplastic pollution in wild freshwater snails using the developed method. The whole tissue of gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa was spiked with microplastics derived from cosmetic products to optimize the tissue digestion and microplastic identification process. Optimum digestion of soft tissue was performed using a mixture of Tris-HCl, proteinase K, and KOH. Recovery of microplastics from the tissue digests, as determined by microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, was 89 ± 5%. The entire procedure could be completed within 30 h. Application of the procedure to wild freshwater snail B. aeruginosa collected from Taihu Lake revealed that 90~100% of the sampled snails accumulated 1 to 4 types of microplastics including poly(vinyl acetate), polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polyamides. In summary, a quick method was developed for the isolation and identification of microplastics from gastropod tissues, and the application of the method revealed the presence of microplastics in snails inhabiting Taihu Lake, China.
More Papers Like This
[Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastics in Multi-environmental Media and Bellamya aeruginosa of Manao River].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in water, sediment, and the snail Bellamya aeruginosa from multiple environmental compartments of the Manao River in China, finding microplastics across all matrices with the snail accumulating higher concentrations than surrounding water.
Assessment of the Effects of Environmental Concentrations of Microplastics on the Aquatic Snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the effects of environmentally relevant microplastic concentrations on the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, assessing impacts on this benthic invertebrate in an understudied freshwater ecosystem context.
Unveiling microplastic pollution: Evaluating the role of Sinotaia quadrata (Caenogastropoda, Viviparidae) as a monitoring tool in freshwater ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated whether the invasive freshwater snail Sinotaia quadrata could serve as a reliable monitoring tool for tracking microplastic pollution in waterways affected by human activity. The types and characteristics of microplastics found in the snails closely matched what was detected in the surrounding water and sediment. The study suggests that these snails could be a practical and cost-effective way to assess microplastic contamination levels in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastics in Taihu Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed Taihu Lake in China — one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country — and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and polymer composition reflecting surrounding urban and industrial inputs.
A case study on microplastics pollution characteristics in fouling organisms in typical aquaculture bay, China
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of microplastics in fouling organisms living on aquaculture structures in a Chinese coastal bay found significant differences in microplastic abundance between species, with fibers and blue-colored particles being the most common type. One snail species (N. radula) was observed physically grasping microplastics with its feeding structure, suggesting active ingestion. These findings point to aquaculture as both a source of plastic pollution and an ecosystem where marine organisms are routinely exposed to contaminated particles.
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.