ABUNDANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROPLASTICS IN MARKET BIVALVE Aulacomya Atra (MYTILIDAE: BIVALVIA)

Abstract

Seafood contamination with microplastics is one major route for human intake. Shellfish are among the most important since most shellfish species are eaten fresh and entirely. The aim of the present study was to report the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commercial bivalve Aulacomya atra sold in fisheries from three Peruvian provinces. Market surveys were carried out and standard microplastic extraction, observation, and analysis methods were conducted. The mean microplastic abundance in the three provinces was 0.56 ± 0.08 MP g-1. Lima, the most populated province in Peru, presented the highest concentration (1.04 ± 0.17 MP g-1). The majority of the microplastics were fiber/lines (58.8 %) and blue (40.5 %). The polymer identity of most fiber/lines was polyester, suggesting microfibers that shed from clothes during laundry may be one major source of contamination. Other identified polymers were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The annual dietary microplastic intake by the Peruvian population was estimated to be ~48.18 MP person-1 year-1 via A. atra consumption only, although values could vary depending on the region. The need for a better supply chain, handling conditions, and further research are discussed.

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

“…Similarly, the composition of microplastics in Crassostrea virginica samples from the Indian River Lagoon (Titusville, FL, USA) was dominantly microfibers (95%) [42]. Additionally, in Aulacomya atra samples sold in fisheries from three Peruvian provinces, the majority of the microplastics were of fibrous shape (58.8%) [133]. Usually, farmed bivalves contain more microfibers than wild specimens since they grow on polypropylene lines and are often cultured in coastal areas [126,129].…”

“…Future studies based on consistent sampling and analysis methods of seafood from markets [154] could help to implement monitoring programs to assess microfiber contamination. More information is needed on microfiber pollution in marine species captured for consumption, with a special focus on those eaten whole as well as seafood sold in fishery markets and ready for consumption, considering that the microplastic and microfiber contamination in shellfish and seafood may be also associated with the handling and supply chain [133].…”

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

“…In the marine ecosystem of Peru, plastics and MPs have also been reported in sediments (Cisneros et al., 2021), marine invertebrates (De‐La‐torre, Apaza‐Vargas, et al., 2020; De‐la‐Torre, Laura, et al., 2021), fishes (De‐la‐Torre et al., 2019; Fernández‐Ojeda et al., 2021), and top predators (Perez‐Venegas et al., 2020; Santillán et al., 2020). The abundance of microplastics varies significantly over time, several studies have evidenced the temporal variability of MPs in diverse aquatic environments, which provides insights concerning the influence of hydrodynamics and possible sources (Imhof et al., 2017; Munari et al., 2021).…”

Microplastics in sediments deposited by rainwater runoff in a populated center in the Peruvian Andes

“…Urban rainwater transports sediment in suspension and other contaminants such as microplastics (MPs), which enter from the land to the aquatic environment through the runoff of rainwater (McKee & Gilbreath, 2015;Auta et al, 2017). In Peru the abundance and characteristics of MPs in the aquatic environment have been evaluated only in fishes, mollusks, and crabs (Chota-Macuyama & Chong-Mendoza, 2020;Iannacone et al, 2021;De la Torre et al, 2022;Iannacone et al, 2022) and, on sandy beaches (Iannacone et al, 2019;Zárate & Iannacone, 2021). The deposition, retention, and transport of MPs will depend on many factors including hydrology, weather, environmental topography, particle characteristics, and, human behaviors.…”

“…(Li et al, 2022). The abundance of MPs is increasing in the aquatic environment (Thompson et al, 2009;De la Torre et al, 2022;Li et al, 2022), due to the fragmenting of larger plastics into smaller fractions (Browne et al, 2008). It is important to evaluate the characteristics of MPs, such as the size, color and shape, as they can be ingested by different aquatic species for appearing similar to their prey (Lima et al, 2015;Iannacone et al, 2021;Foo et al, 2022).…”