Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in commercial bivalves from China

Researchers analyzed microplastics in commercially sold bivalves from China, finding contamination across multiple species and geographic origins, with implications for human dietary microplastic exposure through shellfish consumption.

2015 Environmental Pollution 960 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in six bivalve species (Mollusca, Bivalvia) commercially exploited at the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Central America

Researchers found microplastics in all six commercially exploited bivalve species sampled from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, with prevalence ranging from 74% to 100% across species, raising concerns about human exposure through seafood consumption in Central American coastal communities.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption

Researchers examined two commercially farmed bivalve species, mussels and oysters, and found microplastics in the edible tissues of both. Mussels contained an average of 0.36 particles per gram of tissue, while oysters had 0.47 particles per gram. Since these shellfish are consumed whole without removing the gut, the study suggests they represent a direct pathway for human ingestion of microplastics.

2014 Environmental Pollution 1992 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Concentrations in Two Oregon Bivalve Species: Spatial, Temporal, and Species Variability

Pacific oysters and razor clams from Oregon were found to contain microplastics, with concentrations varying by species, location, and season. The findings have direct relevance for human health since both species are commercially harvested and consumed.

2019 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Are bivalves a source of microplastics for humans? A case study in the Brazilian markets

Researchers found that all four species of bivalves sold in Brazilian markets contained microplastics, averaging 1.64 particles per gram, confirming that commercially sold shellfish are a source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Pnw, Bivalves, and the Impact on Oceanic Ecosystems and Human Health

This review discusses how microplastics accumulate in bivalves such as oysters and mussels in Pacific Northwest coastal waters, how they move up the food chain, and why seafood consumers in the region may face elevated exposure risks. The paper synthesizes the threat to both marine ecosystem stability and human health from microplastic bioaccumulation in commercially important shellfish.

2023 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in commercially important bivalves from the southwest coast of India

Microplastics were detected in water and three commercially important bivalve species along the southwest coast of India, with concentrations varying by species and collection site. The presence of plastic particles in filter-feeding shellfish intended for human consumption raises concerns about dietary exposure.

2022 Environmental Pollution 75 citations
Article Tier 2

The impact of microplastics on bivalve mollusks: A bibliometric and scientific review

This review examines how microplastics affect bivalve shellfish like mussels, oysters, and clams, which are important both ecologically and as human food sources. Microplastics disrupt bivalve feeding, growth, reproduction, and immune function, and can also carry other toxic pollutants into their tissues. Since bivalves filter large volumes of water and are often eaten whole by humans, they represent a direct pathway for microplastic transfer from the ocean to our bodies.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 86 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)
Article Tier 2

The occurrence and exposure of microplastics in bivalves from Qingdao, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in bivalves such as clams and mussels from the coast of Qingdao, China, and assessed human dietary exposure from eating them. They found an average of about one microplastic particle per individual shellfish, with fibers and rayon being the most common types. The study suggests that regular bivalve consumption in the region contributes to ongoing human microplastic exposure.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 4 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

Microplastics in Pacific Northwest Bivalves: Ecological Prevalence, Harvester-Consumer Exposure, and Aquarium Exhibit Outcomes

Researchers quantified microplastics in Pacific oysters and razor clams from 15 coastal sites in Oregon, finding widespread contamination across the Pacific Northwest coast. The study also assessed exposure risks to seafood harvesters and consumers, contributing to understanding of how coastal plastic pollution reaches human food supplies.

2000
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
Article Tier 2

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This review examines microplastic contamination in coastal and marine environments, focusing on bivalves as sentinel organisms due to their filter-feeding behavior and widespread use as human food, synthesizing evidence on physiological damage across aquatic species and ecological risks from plastic particle transfer through food chains.

2022 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastics in commercial bivalves and estimation of exposure among population in Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor

Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characteristics in commercial bivalves from Pasir Penambang, Malaysia, and estimated human dietary exposure, finding that regular consumption of locally sold shellfish poses a notable microplastic ingestion risk.

2023 UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA)
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
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

Microplastics in four bivalve species and basis for using bivalves as bioindicators of microplastic pollution

Researchers found microplastics in 80% of shellfish samples (scallops, mussels, oysters, and clams) collected across four seasons in Qingdao, China. PVC and rayon fibers were the most common plastic types, with different shellfish species accumulating different sizes and types of particles. Since these shellfish are commonly eaten by people, the findings highlight a direct route for microplastics to enter the human diet through seafood.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 257 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

Are microplastics impacting shellfish?

Researchers investigated whether microplastic contamination measurably impacts shellfish physiology, growth, reproduction, and health outcomes, assessing the ecological and food safety implications of microplastic exposure in commercially and ecologically important bivalve species.

2024