Papers

61,005 results
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Review Tier 2

The Presence of Microplastics in Shellfish: A Review

This literature review synthesizes studies on microplastic presence in shellfish across global aquaculture and wild harvest settings, finding widespread contamination across species and highlighting ingestion during filter feeding as the dominant uptake route.

2024 Hydrogen Jurnal Kependidikan Kimia
Article Tier 2

Micro and Nanoplastics size distribution in mussel tissues: first evidence, identification, and quantification in the nanogram range

Italian researchers used a highly sensitive mass spectrometry technique to detect and quantify both microplastics and nanoplastics in farmed mussels, finding plastic particles in every sample tested. Nanoplastics in the 20–200 nm range were present in substantial quantities, and the authors estimate that European seafood consumers could ingest over 2 milligrams of nanoplastics per year through mussel consumption alone. This is one of the first studies to directly quantify nanoplastics in a commonly eaten seafood, raising significant concerns about dietary exposure.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in mussels sampled from coastal waters and supermarkets in the United Kingdom

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in mussels from U.K. coastal waters and supermarkets and found anthropogenic debris in every sample tested. Wild mussels contained up to 2.9 debris items per gram of tissue, while supermarket mussels showed lower but still consistent contamination levels. The study confirms that microplastics are prevalent in commercially available shellfish, representing a direct pathway for human dietary exposure.

2018 Environmental Pollution 516 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in marine mussels from the Atlantic coast of North Portugal and human risk of microplastic intake through mussel consumption

Researchers analyzed wild mussels from Portugal's Atlantic coast and found microplastics in all samples, with an average of about 1.6 particles per gram of mussel tissue. Based on typical Portuguese seafood consumption patterns, the estimated annual human intake of microplastics from mussels alone was calculated, highlighting that regular shellfish consumers face meaningful microplastic exposure through their diet.

2024 Environmental Pollution 22 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Green Shells in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Literature Review of Determinant Factors and Management

This literature review synthesized 35 studies on microplastic contamination in green mussels (a widely consumed shellfish), finding that fibers under 1 mm were the most common form and that both human and industrial activities drive contamination levels. Because mussels filter large volumes of water, they concentrate microplastics from their surroundings and pass them on to people who eat them, making shellfish a key pathway for human dietary exposure.

2023 JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and identification of microplastics from mussels: Method development and preliminary results

Scientists developed and validated a method for extracting and identifying microplastics from mussel tissue, then applied it to measure contamination in commercially harvested mussels. The method produced reliable, reproducible results, providing a practical tool for monitoring microplastic levels in one of the world's most widely consumed shellfish.

2021 Italian Journal of Food Safety 19 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics ingestions by wild and aquaculture marine bivalves: A systematic review on field investigation study

This systematic review of 33 studies found that shellfish like mussels, oysters, and clams from both wild and farmed sources contain microplastics. Since many people eat these shellfish whole, including their digestive systems, this represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by humans.

2023 Sustinere Journal of Environment and Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollution and marine mussels: Unravelling disparities in research efforts, biological effects and influences of global warming

This review analyzed 106 studies on how plastic pollution, including microplastics, nanoplastics, and chemicals that leach from plastics, affects marine mussels. The research found effects at every biological level, from molecular and cellular damage to changes in behavior and reproduction. Since mussels are filter feeders that concentrate pollutants and are widely eaten by humans, they serve as both early warning indicators of plastic pollution and a direct pathway for human exposure.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the relationship between the abundance and properties of microplastics in water and in mussels

Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastic levels in coastal waters and in mussels at 25 sites along China's coastline. They found a strong positive correlation, meaning that mussels in more polluted waters contained more microplastics, and that mussels preferentially ingested smaller particles. The study supports the use of mussels as biological indicators for monitoring microplastic contamination in marine environments.

2017 The Science of The Total Environment 459 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Apulia Region (Italy)

Scientists analyzed commercially sold mussels from markets in southern Italy and found microplastics in every sample tested. On average, each mussel contained about 1.6 plastic particles, with fibers being the most common type, followed by fragments. Since mussels are eaten whole by consumers, the findings highlight a direct pathway for human exposure to microplastics through seafood.

2023 Foods 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Where are we? Towards an understanding of the selective accumulation of microplastics in mussels

This review synthesizes published research on how mussels selectively accumulate microplastics, examining what factors such as particle size, shape, polymer type, and environmental conditions influence which plastics end up in mussel tissue versus being rejected. The study aims to improve the use of mussels as bioindicator species for monitoring marine microplastic pollution by identifying key variables that affect accumulation patterns.

2021 Environmental Pollution 97 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Concentration of microplastics in bivalves of the environment: a systematic review

Microplastics were found in bivalves across 70 species in 36 countries, with mussels (Mytilus spp.) and oysters (Crassostrea spp.) most studied, but inconsistent digestion and identification methodologies make meaningful cross-study comparisons of contamination levels difficult.

2021 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 87 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis): protocol setup and preliminary data on the contamination of the French Atlantic coast

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in blue mussels from a study site, finding microplastics in a large proportion of sampled individuals and documenting the types and sizes of particles present.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 163 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the hidden impacts: A comprehensive review of microplastic effects on marine bivalves

This review synthesizes research on how microplastics accumulate in marine bivalves through their filter-feeding behavior, covering mechanisms of ingestion, bioaccumulation, oxidative stress induction, immune disruption, and growth inhibition, with implications for food safety given widespread human consumption of bivalves.

2025 Aquatic Toxicology
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastics ingestion by marine fauna with a particular focus on commercial species: a systematic review

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines microplastic ingestion across marine species, with a focus on commercially important seafood. The researchers found that microplastic contamination is widespread in fish, shellfish, and other marine animals that end up on our dinner plates. This matters for human health because we may be consuming these particles every time we eat seafood.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Towards Risk Assessments of Microplastics in Bivalve Mollusks Globally

Researchers compiled data from 22 countries to assess the risk of microplastic contamination in bivalve mollusks such as mussels and oysters. While most countries showed relatively low pollution levels, the chemical composition of the microplastics found in bivalves varied widely, with some polymers posing greater health concerns than others. The study estimates that regular consumption of contaminated bivalves could represent a meaningful pathway for human microplastic exposure.

2022 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Mollusks: Research Progress, Current Contamination Status, Analysis Approaches, and Future Perspectives

This review synthesizes 77 studies (2010-2021) on microplastic contamination in mollusks, finding that polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene are the most common polymers in bivalves, with most particles under 500 µm in size and a positive correlation between seawater and mollusk MP abundance.

2021 Frontiers in Marine Science 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring microplastics in commercial bivalve species and in bivalve aquaculture waters: Insights from the southern Pacific

Microplastics were detected in multiple commercially sold bivalve species (such as mussels and oysters) and in nearby inland and coastal waters. Because bivalves are widely eaten by humans, the findings raise direct concerns about microplastic dietary exposure through seafood consumption.

2025 Water Biology and Security 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Understanding Pollution in Italian Seas

A nationwide study across Italy found microplastics in 7-13% of common mussels sampled from Italian seas, mainly polypropylene and polystyrene fragments and fibers. Since mussels are eaten whole without removing their digestive system, any microplastics inside them are directly consumed by people. The findings underscore the need for standardized detection methods and better waste management to protect both marine ecosystems and the seafood supply.

2025 Toxics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic on our plate, also in our shops…

Belgian researchers investigated whether microplastics are actually present in wild and farmed bivalves under field conditions, rather than only at the unrealistically high concentrations used in lab studies. They found microplastics in both wild and cultured mussels and oysters, providing the first direct evidence that these seafood species accumulate microplastics at environmentally relevant levels.

2014 Flanders Marine Institute (Flanders Marine Institute)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in coastal and marine environments: A critical issue of plastic pollution on marine organisms, seafood contaminations, and human health implications

This review highlights the serious threat microplastics pose to marine life and the millions of people who depend on seafood as a primary protein source. Marine organisms, especially filter-feeders like oysters and mussels, accumulate microplastics that can cause tissue damage, oxidative stress, immune changes, and behavioral problems. Since these shellfish are often eaten raw, any toxins they accumulate -- including microplastics -- pass directly to humans.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics size distribution in farmed mussel tissues

Researchers analyzed farmed mussels from Italy and detected microplastics and nanoplastics in every single sample, with nanoplastics (particles smaller than 1 micrometer) present in concerning quantities. They estimated that Europeans eating seafood regularly could ingest more than 2 milligrams of nanoplastics per year — establishing an important baseline for tracking this form of pollution in our food supply.

2024 Communications Earth & Environment 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in commercially important edible marine bivalves: A comprehensive review

This review summarizes research on microplastic contamination in edible shellfish like mussels, clams, and oysters, which accumulate high levels of plastic particles in their tissues. Because bivalves are eaten whole including their digestive systems, they are a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human body. While microplastics do not appear to kill shellfish outright, they can harm their immune systems and reproduction, potentially affecting both shellfish populations and human consumers.

2024 Food Chemistry X 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Depuration kinetics and accumulation of microplastics in tissues of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

This study tracked how mussels take in, accumulate, and eventually expel microplastics of different sizes over time. Larger microplastics accumulated more in the gills and digestive gland, while smaller particles spread more widely through the body. Since mussels are popular seafood eaten whole, understanding how they retain microplastics helps estimate how much plastic people may be consuming through shellfish.

2024 Marine Environmental Research 11 citations