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Microplastics in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the marine environment of coastal Norway
Summary
Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from coastal Norwegian waters were examined for microplastic contamination, with particles identified by visual inspection and Raman spectroscopy. The study documents the types and abundances of microplastics ingested by wild mussels, which are widely consumed as seafood, raising questions about human dietary exposure.
Plastic has in recent decades become a globally ubiquitous material, and accumulation of plastic waste in the environment is causing concern both among the public and in the scientific community. Especially plastic ending up in the oceans are receiving considerable attention. Microplastics are most often described as plastic particles <5 mm in size and have been reported found in marine environments all over the world. It has been shown that microplastics are ingested by wild organisms, but the extent and effects remain uncertain. One reason for this uncertainty is the lack of globally standardized research methodologies. This thesis aims to contribute with empirical data on microplastic occurrence in Norwegian marine biota, as well as to the method development in the field of microplastic research.