First Record of Microplastic Contamination in the Non-Native Dark False Mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) in a Coastal Urban Lagoon

Abstract

Microplastic contamination is a global concern due to its conspicuous presence in aquatic ecosystems and its toxic nature to environmental and human health. False mussels are among the most notable fresh- and brackish water invaders. The invasive Mytilopsis leucophaeata in Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon-RFL (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is the most abundant macrofaunal invertebrate, widely established and distributed throughout the lagoon. This study aimed to assess microplastic contamination in this invasive filter feeder and evaluate its potential use as a bioindicator. Agglomerates (~100 mussels) were manually collected using a stainless-steel spatula in ten sampling areas distributed throughout the whole lagoon and kept frozen. In the laboratory, 60 individuals were sorted by area for soft-tissue digestion. Each pool of 10 soft-tissue mussels (n = 6 by area) was wet-weighted and then placed in a 150-mL decontaminated glass beaker with 50 mL of 10% KOH. Samples were heated (40 °C) for 48 h, and digested samples were filtered in glass-fiber membranes. Microplastics were found in all samples of mussels (n = 60) from RFL; the particles were mostly lower than 100 µm with a mean concentration (±SD) of 35.96 ± 47.64 MPs g wet-weight−1. Microplastics were distinguished in seven shapes with different occurrences in samples (%): fiber (43.3%); fragment (34.3%); film (16.3%); sponge/foam (4.9%); pellet (0.57%), rope/filaments (0.17%); and undefined (0.4%). Thirteen colors of microplastics were found, but transparent (54.94%), black (10.77%), and white (9.36%) were the most common. Mytilopsis leucophaeata were useful to assess microplastic contamination in RFL and might be preferentially used in other invaded brackish systems instead of native and often threatened bivalves. Our results confirm the effective application of bivalves as an indicator of coastal microplastic pollution.

Accumulation of microplastics in Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) in the sand pit lake Kazichene, Bulgaria

“…Investigating microplastic contamination in organisms can be used to understand whether they are contaminated by microplastics, to explore the source and mode of contamination, etc., and to analyze the possibility that the pollution may be passed on to other organisms through the food chain which IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1305/1/012005 2 could lead to more serious impacts. Bivalves contaminated with microplastics filtered from the water column may affect the dynamics of microplastic availability from planktonic to benthic compartments through particle elimination from feces or pseudofeces [5,6]. Once ingested microplastics may undergo biofragmentation turning into smaller particles disposed of through feces [7,8], thus making these particles available to smaller detritivorous hydrobionts [6].…”

“…Bivalves contaminated with microplastics filtered from the water column may affect the dynamics of microplastic availability from planktonic to benthic compartments through particle elimination from feces or pseudofeces [5,6]. Once ingested microplastics may undergo biofragmentation turning into smaller particles disposed of through feces [7,8], thus making these particles available to smaller detritivorous hydrobionts [6]. On the other hand, a certain aquatic organism can be used as an indicator for monitoring of microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment, and the characteristics of microplastics in the organism can be used to indirectly reflect the microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment in which it lives [1].…”

Unraveling the ecotoxicological effects of micro and nano-plastics on aquatic organisms and human health

“…Unfortunately, due to careless and excessive use, improper management, and inadvertent disposal, a significant volume of plastics has amassed in aquatic systems (Peng et al, 2020). Thus, they can accumulate at higher trophic levels, infiltrate the food chain, and pose a potential risk to ecosystems, native and non-native species, and human health (Neves et al, 2024). Plastics of various types are globally produced, with polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane identified as the most prevalent plastic varieties (Al-Thawadi, 2020).…”