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Microplastics contamination in cockles and green mussels distributed in local markets in Semarang
Summary
Microplastics were found in cockles and green mussels distributed in local markets in Semarang, Indonesia, raising concerns about seafood safety given that Indonesia is the world's second-largest contributor of plastic waste to the ocean. Consumers eating locally sold shellfish in this region are likely being exposed to microplastics.
Indonesia has been indicated as the second largest contributor of mismanaged plastic waste ending up in the ocean.Java, as the most populated island in Indonesia, contributes 0.116 - 0.145 million tonnes plastics waste per year. This may lead to massive accumulation of microplastics in this coastal area and through thropic transfer these pollutants may contaminate commonly consumed seafood species. Our proveious study revealed the presence of microplastics in some seafood species colledted from coastal areas in Semarang. In this study, we investigated microplastics contamination in widely consumed bivalves that are distributed in Semarang. Cockles (Anadara granosa) and green mussels (Perna viridis) were taken from three local markets in Semarang. The microplastics materials were extracted using alkaline digestion and followed by NaI treatment to isolate the particles. The microscope observation was performed to detect microplastic particles. The result showed that both cockles and green mussels taken from the local markets in Semarang contained microplastics in the form of fragment, fiber,spheres, and film. Thes findings highlight that microplastics have been contaminates our daily food. Further investigation on the risk of ingested microplastics to human health will be urgently needed.