We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Contamination and Geochemical Tracers in the Goro Lagoon Ecosystem: Pathways, Fate, and Biota Interactions
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles everywhere in an Italian lagoon - in the water, mud, and inside clams that people eat. The plastic pollution was worst in the sediment and shellfish, showing these contaminants easily move through the food chain. This matters because it suggests people who eat seafood from polluted coastal areas may be consuming microplastics along with their meal.
This study investigates microplastic pollution pathways and fate in the Goro Lagoon (NW Adriatic Sea), integrating geochemical and stable isotope analyses across sediments, lagoon waters, and bivalve mollusks (Ruditapes philippinarum) to trace contaminant dispersion and bioaccumulation. We developed a validated protocol for microplastic extraction from complex, organic-rich matrices: alkaline H₂O₂/NaOH digestion, oil separation exploiting the lipophilic properties of plastics, Nile Red staining, and stereomicroscopic quantification under blue light with ImageJ for size distribution. Microplastics were ubiquitous, with the highest abundances found in sediments and biota, indicating widespread environmental contamination. Complementary ICP-MS (32 trace/major elements), EA-IRMS (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, %C/%N; δ¹⁸O in shells), and XRF analyses revealed distinct chemical and isotopic signatures across matrices, reflecting local environmental gradients and stressors. These patterns highlight microplastic hotspots linked to sediment-water exchanges and bivalve uptake within lagoon dynamics. These findings underscore microplastics as persistent marine pollutants interacting with coastal geochemistry and biota, supporting sustainable shellfish management and advancing monitoring protocols for pollution assessment.
More Papers Like This
Multi-matrix approach to microplastic pollution in the bivalve Donax trunculus, sediment and water along the Mediterranean coasts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied microplastic contamination across three connected elements along Italy's Mediterranean coast: wedge clams, sediment, and seawater. Both young and adult clams contained microplastics, with fibers being the most common type, confirming that these shellfish accumulate plastic particles from their environment. Since wedge clams are harvested for human consumption, the study highlights how microplastics in coastal waters enter the seafood supply.
Microplastic pollution: exploring trophic transfer pathways and ecological impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics — tiny plastic fragments under 5 mm — move through food chains across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, turning up in everything from table salt and drinking water to fish and earthworms. The review highlights how microplastics disrupt nutrient cycling and accumulate across trophic levels, calling for stronger management strategies to curb this global pollutant.
Comparative assessment of microplastics in Pulicat Lagoon and adjacent coastal waters: an integrated multi-metric ecological risk evaluation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in India's Pulicat Lagoon, a major fishing and coastal ecosystem, with levels spiking after a cyclone stirred up runoff and waste. Most of the plastic was tiny fibers and fragments, likely from fishing gear, clothing, and household trash, small enough to be eaten by fish and shellfish that end up on dinner plates. While this study focused on the lagoon's ecology rather than human health directly, it highlights how plastic pollution builds up in food-producing waters, a key step toward understanding what may eventually make its way into the seafood
Traceability as a tool for identification of microplastic pollution and healthy food in the Goro lagoon
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a digital traceability system for clam aquaculture in Italy's Goro lagoon that tracks shellfish from seed to sale while monitoring microplastic concentrations in sediments and animals. The system aims to give consumers transparency about product origin and lagoon pollution levels, linking food quality certification to microplastic contamination data.
Assessment of microplastic contamination in clams and shrimp from estuarine environments of Goa: implications for environmental health and food safety
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined clams and shrimp from estuarine environments in Goa, India, and found microplastics present in both species and their surrounding waters, with shrimp from one site showing particularly high contamination and bioaccumulation. The particles were predominantly polyamide, polyethylene, and polystyrene fibers and fragments, likely originating from fishing, tourism, and waste disposal activities. The findings raise concerns about food safety for local and tourist populations who regularly consume seafood from these coastal areas.
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.