We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in blue mussels and beach sediments : a study of Hovedøya in the inner Oslo Fjord
Summary
Microplastic abundance was assessed in blue mussels and beach sediments at six sites around Hovedoya island in the inner Oslo Fjord, providing baseline data on microplastic contamination in a semi-enclosed Norwegian coastal setting. The study contributes to monitoring microplastic accumulation in shellfish and intertidal habitats.
The quality and durability of plastics combined with improper waste management leads to contamination on land, in freshwater and in the marine environment. An increasing scientific concern is that microplastic (plastic particles <5 mm) pose a threat to biota and marine wildlife. There will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 (by weight) if we continue on the same path as today. This study investigates the microplastic abundance at Hovedøya in the inner Oslo Fjord. Blue mussels (Mytilus spp) and beach sediments were collected from six different beaches facing out in different cardinal directions to represent the whole island. Microplastics were extracted from blue mussels by dissolving organic material with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), and beach sediments with a saturated sodium iodide (NaI) density solution. All samples underwent visual identification followed by chemical confirmation with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Microplastics were found at every beach, in blue mussels and in beach sediments. 51.7% of the blue mussels analysed had ingested microplastics, with an average of 0.70 microplastics per individual and correspondingly 0.17 microplastics per gram wet weight. The overall average in beach sediments was 117.29 MP/m2, while the number of macroplastic items were 1.34 items/m2. Two potential correlations were investigated in this study. Firstly, the correlation between microplastic in blue mussels and sediment from the beach. Secondly, the number of microplastics and macroplastics (plastic items >5 mm) at the same beach. No significant correlation was found.