Preliminary Study and First Evidence of Presence of Microplastics in Green Mussel, Perna viridis from Phuket

Abstract

Plastics can reach the coastal environment and could impact the marine environment. Mussels are marine organisms which are prone to be exposed to microplastics pollution. Therefore, in this preliminary study, the commercially important green mussel (Perna viridis) collected at the Koh Phee Canal in Phuket, Phuket Province, southern peninsular Thailand, was investigated. The collected mussels from aquaculture farm fell into three age groups, namely 1 year-1 month, 1 year-7 months, and 1 year-9 months. Results from the investigation showed 200 items of microplastics present in Perna viridis with 76 items (38%) in flushed water and 124 items (62%) in the soft tissue. The average counts of microplastics in soft tissue and flushed water were 4.13 items per individual and 2.53 items per individual, respectively. Blue color (98 items, 49%) and filament shape (185 items, 92.5%) were the most common color and shape of microplastics in the mussel tissues and the flushed water. The dominant polymers as microplastics were identified as polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, which are common polymer types used in protective packaging and containers. The statistical post hoc tests showed no significant differences by age group in the microplastics accumulation in the Perna viridis (p<0.05). Further studies are required to understand the accumulation rates and residence times of microplastics across the food webs for better understanding on their impacts on human health. The results from this study provide a baseline level of microplastics contamination in green mussel aquaculture located at Phuket, and urgent measures are needed to prevent contamination of food for human consumption and related health problems.

Assessment of Microplastics in Green Mussel (Perna viridis) and Surrounding Environments around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand

“…The average amount of microplastic in green mussels was 0.15 ± 0.41 (45.63 items/Kg wet weight) and 0.22 ± 0.57 particles/individual (70.16 items/Kg wet weight) in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The level of microplastics in this study was relatively lower than those reported in other studies despite using different methods for analyzing microplastics, such as those for green mussel (Perna viridis) in Ban Don Bay [39]; blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) from the French Atlantic coast; green mussel in France [72]; and green mussel (Perna viridis) from Phuket [40], as in Table 3. Interestingly, [73] found very high levels of contamination with 34 to 178 items/individual in mussels in Canada, but their work was based on visualization only.…”

“…In Thailand, microplastic pollution has been reported in many areas, such as estuarine water at the Chaopraya River mouth [35], beaches [36,37], sediments in the urban estuary in Phuket Province [38], and marine organisms [31,39,40]. Unfortunately, the degree and evaluation of microplastics in coastal farming areas are rarely established and unclear.…”

Advances in Chemotactic and Non-chemotactic Bioremediation of Water: A Comprehensive Review

“…The chemotaxis proteins and membrane components were found to be upregulated [121]. Recent reports are showing contamination of different types of waters with microplastic [122]. Mangrove rhizosphere isolates were found to colonize microplastic.…”

Distribution Analysis of Green Mussels (Perna viridis) in Banyuurip Village, Ujung Pangkah District, Gresik Regency

“…Morphometrics is a method of measuring the external shape of the body, which is used as a basis for comparing the size of green mussels (Perna viridis), such as width, standard length, height and others. Morphometric measurements are useful for knowing the growth patterns, feeding habits and groups of Perna viridis and as a basis for fish identification [17]. Morphometric characters that are often used for measurement include total length, standard length, claw length, body height and width, fin height and length, and eye diameter [18].…”