Papers

61,005 results
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Review Tier 2

From the Seafloor to the Surface: a Global Review of Gastropods as Bioindicators of Marine Microplastics

This global review examined evidence of microplastic ingestion by marine gastropods (sea snails) and evaluated their potential as bioindicator species for ocean microplastic pollution. Gastropods from the seafloor to the surface were found to contain microplastics, with bottom-dwelling species accumulating the highest amounts. The authors argue that gastropods are a practical and widespread tool for monitoring microplastic contamination across marine environments.

2023 Water Air & Soil Pollution 18 citations
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

Microplastics in Fish and Shellfish – A Threat to Seafood Safety?

This review evaluated the current knowledge on microplastic contamination in fish and shellfish in relation to seafood safety. Researchers found that while microplastics are commonly detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish (which are typically not consumed), bivalves and small fish eaten whole may present a more direct route of human exposure, though the overall health risk from microplastics in seafood remains uncertain.

2020 Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology 131 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as contaminants in commercially important seafood species

This review summarizes evidence that microplastic ingestion is widespread in commercially important seafood species including mollusks, crustaceans, and fish. Evidence indicates that microplastics can affect physiology, reproductive success, and survival in marine organisms, and may also act as vectors for chemical pollutants. The study highlights the potential for human exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption, though the full health implications remain to be determined.

2017 Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 266 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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics and seafood: lower trophic organisms at highest risk of contamination

This systematic review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in commercially important seafood species. The findings show that organisms lower on the food chain, like shellfish and small fish, tend to accumulate the most microplastics. Since many people eat these organisms whole, including their digestive tracts, this represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.

2019 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 564 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of nanoparticles on human health and disease

This review assessed whether marine snails (gastropods) can serve as reliable indicator species for microplastic pollution in the ocean, examining global literature across five gastropod subclasses. On average, about 33 plastic pieces were found per individual gastropod, with bottom-dwelling species accumulating the most. The findings suggest that gastropods are useful bioindicators for monitoring microplastic contamination in marine environments from the seafloor to the surface.

2023 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Microplastic in Commercial Aquatic Organisms

This review examined microplastic occurrence across multiple commercial aquatic species, compiling data on ingestion rates, particle characteristics, and potential risks to seafood safety. The authors identify fish, crustaceans, and bivalves as primary vectors of human dietary exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption.

2022 Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in molluscs from the northern part of the Persian Gulf

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in five species of mollusks from the northern Persian Gulf, including both gastropods and bivalves with different feeding strategies. They found microplastics in all species, with concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 21 particles per gram of soft tissue, and fibers were the most common type. The study indicates that microplastic contamination is widespread in Persian Gulf seafood and that filter-feeding organisms tend to accumulate more particles.

2017 Environmental Pollution 356 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic load and polymer type composition in European rocky intertidal snails: Consistency across locations, wave exposure and years

Researchers examined microplastic loads in rocky intertidal snails across four European locations, finding consistent polymer type compositions and ingestion patterns regardless of geographic location, wave exposure, or sampling year.

2021 Environmental Pollution 27 citations
Article Tier 2

The Abundance of Microplastics in Gastropods in The Molas Waters of North Sulawesi

Researchers found microplastic contamination in two gastropod species (Tylothais sp. and Terebralia sp.) from Molas Waters, North Sulawesi, with fiber being the dominant form and abundances ranging from 2.2 to 3.05 particles per 20 individuals across two sampling periods.

2025 JURNAL PESISIR DAN LAUT TROPIS
Article Tier 2

Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Mollusks from the Coastal Area of Yantai, China

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in ten mollusk species collected from the Yantai coastal area of China, finding MPs in all species with bivalves containing more than gastropods and fibers as the dominant type, and estimating human dietary exposure through shellfish consumption.

2021 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 48 citations
Review Tier 2

Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological impact of micro(nano)plastics in aquatic and land snails: Historical review, current research and emerging trends

This review summarizes the ecotoxicological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic and land snail species worldwide. Researchers found evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation in 40 gastropod species, with Asia showing the highest contamination levels, and documented harmful effects including behavioral changes, oxidative stress, and tissue damage. The study highlights that toxicity depends on particle composition, shape, and size, and identifies significant research gaps in understanding how these pollutants affect invertebrate communities.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 60 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic prevalence, diversity and characteristics in commercially important edible bivalves and gastropods in relation to environmental matrices

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics in the tissues of commercially important bivalves and gastropods from the southwest coast of India, finding MPs across all five species examined and raising concerns about seafood safety.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 26 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

Microplastics in the edible tissues of shellfishes sold for human consumption

Researchers analyzed the edible tissues of four shellfish species sold for human consumption and found microplastics present in all samples examined. Fibers were the most commonly detected particle type, with polymer identification confirming synthetic origins including polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through commercially available seafood products.

2020 Chemosphere 204 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Fibrous Microplastic Pollution on Commercial Seafood and Consumer Health: A Review

This review examines how microfibers, the most common type of microplastic in the ocean, contaminate commercial seafood species. Fish and shellfish ingest microfibers that accumulate primarily in their digestive tracts but can also reach muscle tissue that humans eat. The authors highlight gaps in understanding the food safety implications and call for more research on how microfiber consumption through seafood affects human health.

2023 Animals 49 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review on microplastic contamination in marine Crustacea and Mollusca of Asia: Current scenario, concentration, characterization, polymeric risk assessment, and future Prospectives

This systematic review documented microplastic contamination in shellfish and crustaceans across Asia, finding 79 species affected. Since these seafood species are widely consumed, the presence of microplastics — especially polyethylene and polypropylene — in their tissues represents a direct route of human exposure through diet.

2024 Water Environment Research 22 citations
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

Occurrence, sources and potential human health risk of microplastics in seafood species

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in seafood products available in local markets, identifying plastics in multiple species including fish, shrimp, and bivalves, and estimated potential human dietary intake based on consumption data. The study found that seafood lovers could ingest thousands of microplastic particles per year through regular consumption, with shellfish representing the highest per-serving exposure.

2024 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version)
Systematic Review Tier 1

A global perspective on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine organisms

This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in marine organisms around the world, documenting how plastics of various sizes and types build up in seafood species. Since many of these species end up on our plates, the findings raise important questions about how much microplastic humans may be consuming through seafood.

2023 Ecological Indicators 107 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Abundance in Edible Crabs and Gastropods on the Blanakan Coast

Researchers sampled water, sediment, crabs, and gastropods along the Blanakan coast of Indonesia and detected microplastics in all sample types, with fragments, films, fibers, and pellets all present — suggesting widespread contamination that poses a food safety concern for local seafood consumed by humans.

2023 Journal of Sustainability Science and Management
Article Tier 2

Distribution and Types of Microplastics in Coastal Sediments of Sepanjang Beach

Researchers characterised the distribution and types of microplastics in coastal sediments of Sepanjang Beach, Indonesia, examining microplastic presence in relation to gastropod digestive tract contamination in the local marine environment.

2025 Sriwijaya Journal of Environment
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