We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
First occurrence and composition assessment of microplastics in native mussels collected from coastal and offshore areas of the northern and central Adriatic Sea
Summary
Microplastics were detected for the first time in native mussels from coastal and offshore areas of the northern and central Adriatic Sea, with chemical analysis confirming common plastic polymers and offshore populations also affected. The study establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in an important Mediterranean commercial shellfish species.
In recent years, the occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environment has gathered increasing scientific interest. Several studies have shown that the ingestion of microplastics may negatively influence the physiology of marine organisms having different feeding strategies, particularly in those species which cannot discriminate between food sources. Recent studies highlighted the potential for such particles to accumulate in the food web, posing risks to human health via the consumption of seafood. Furthermore, early findings also indicated the role of microplastics as vectors of chemical pollutants either used as additives during synthesis of the plastics or adsorbed directly from seawater, i.e., PAHs, PCB, and surfactants. Despite the importance of microplastics in adsorption and transport of hydrophobic pollutants, little is known about their distribution and accumulation in marine food webs, or their direct and indirect harmful effects. The Adriatic Sea represents a semi-enclosed basin with a low water recirculation rate and high anthropogenic pressures associated with unsustainable fishing and inputs of contaminants. The body burden, accumulation rates, polymer composition, and recurring morphotypes of microplastics in native blue mussels (M. galloprovincialis) were examined. Organisms collected offshore were compared to those collected in coastal areas. Microplastics were recovered from the soft tissues of all analyzed mussels. Coastal organisms showed a load of 1.06-1.33 fragments g (wet weight) and 0.62-0.63 fibers g (wet weight) while offshore organisms showed an accumulation of 0.65-0.66 fragments g (wet weight) and 0.24-0.35 fibers g (wet weight). The size class distribution revealed a marked prevalence of smaller particles (20 μm to 40 μm range) and the most recurring polymer type in analyzed organisms was PE followed by PP, PET, and equal amounts of PS, PLY, and PVC. A significant site-, time-, and oceanographic-related distribution trend was observed. Based on the findings presented here, there is a clear need to implement a seafood safety monitoring program to better understand actual human health-related risks.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Study of Microplastics and Inorganic Contaminants in Mussels from the Montenegrin Coast, Adriatic Sea
Researchers analyzed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from three sites in Montenegro's Adriatic coast using optical and Raman microscopy, detecting microplastics in all samples along with elevated concentrations of trace metals, providing the first combined MPs and inorganic contaminant data for this coastline.
Assessment of microplastic particles ingested by Mytilus galloprovincialis along the Adriatic coast
Researchers sampled 176 Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels from six stations across the Adriatic Sea as part of the INTERREG IT-HR MARLESS project, digesting tissue with acid and extracting microplastics via saturated sodium chloride filtration. Microplastics were detected at all sampled locations, with shape, size, and color characterization revealing widespread contamination across the study region.
Microplastics in Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: Comparison between Cultured and WildType Mussels from the Northern Adriatic
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in the digestive glands of Mediterranean mussels collected from pristine, aquaculture, and port areas along the northern Adriatic coast. The highest contamination was found in mussels from a Croatian marina, with the smallest particles in the 5-to-10-micrometer range being the most prevalent. The study highlights that mussels accumulate microplastics regardless of their environment, with port areas showing notably higher contamination levels.
Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions
This study compared microplastic contamination across commercially relevant seafood species commonly consumed in the European market, characterizing both the morphological and chemical properties of particles found in edible tissue. Results showed widespread but variable contamination across species, with polymer types and particle abundance differing by species and tissue type.
Microplastics in mussels from the Boka Kotorska Bay (Adriatic Sea) and impact on human health
Researchers analyzed mussels from the Adriatic Sea coast of Montenegro and found microplastics in over half of the specimens, mostly in the form of blue fibers made from polyethylene and polypropylene. Based on typical mussel consumption in the region, they estimated that humans could ingest hundreds of microplastic particles annually through seafood. The study raises concerns about microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption along the Adriatic coast.