Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Microplastics have drawn significant interest within the scientific community due to their environmental impact. In marine ecosystems, these particles readily absorb toxic substances and, because of their microscopic size, are consumed by various organisms that are eventually incorporated into the...

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Main Authors: Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha, Helena Antunes Portela, Mônica Regina da Costa Marques Calderari, Fábio Vieira de Araújo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2025-03-01
Series:Scientia Marina
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Online Access:https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/5569
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author Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha
Helena Antunes Portela
Mônica Regina da Costa Marques Calderari
Fábio Vieira de Araújo
author_facet Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha
Helena Antunes Portela
Mônica Regina da Costa Marques Calderari
Fábio Vieira de Araújo
author_sort Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha
collection DOAJ
description Microplastics have drawn significant interest within the scientific community due to their environmental impact. In marine ecosystems, these particles readily absorb toxic substances and, because of their microscopic size, are consumed by various organisms that are eventually incorporated into the human food chain. Several studies emphasize this unintentional transfer to human foods. To investigate microplastic contamination in Perna perna mussels sold commercially, wild (harvested from the coastal environment) and farm-raised (cultivated) samples were purchased from local markets in Niterói, RJ, Brazil. One kilogram of each type was processed through digestion in an NaOH 5% solution and then analysed to assess the quantity and types of microplastics present. Both wild and cultivated mussels contained microplastic film and fibres, with 145 items (0.145 items g⁻¹) identified in wild specimens [67% nylon (polyamide) and 33% polyethylene] and 120 items (0.120 items g⁻¹) in cultivated mussels (100% polyamide). The microplastics varied in size, ranging from 0.45 μm to 28 mm, with the most common colours being black, blue and transparent. These findings highlight the potential risks of consuming these organisms regardless of their source and the need for further investigation into the effects of these pollutants on human health.
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spelling doaj-art-026667ab4df04bdcad57a920ed0cfdad2025-08-20T03:20:10ZengConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasScientia Marina0214-83581886-81342025-03-0189110.3989/scimar.05569.094Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha0Helena Antunes PortelaMônica Regina da Costa Marques Calderari1Fábio Vieira de Araújo2Universidade Federal Fluminense, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de QuímicaUniversidade Federal Fluminense, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Formação de Professores Microplastics have drawn significant interest within the scientific community due to their environmental impact. In marine ecosystems, these particles readily absorb toxic substances and, because of their microscopic size, are consumed by various organisms that are eventually incorporated into the human food chain. Several studies emphasize this unintentional transfer to human foods. To investigate microplastic contamination in Perna perna mussels sold commercially, wild (harvested from the coastal environment) and farm-raised (cultivated) samples were purchased from local markets in Niterói, RJ, Brazil. One kilogram of each type was processed through digestion in an NaOH 5% solution and then analysed to assess the quantity and types of microplastics present. Both wild and cultivated mussels contained microplastic film and fibres, with 145 items (0.145 items g⁻¹) identified in wild specimens [67% nylon (polyamide) and 33% polyethylene] and 120 items (0.120 items g⁻¹) in cultivated mussels (100% polyamide). The microplastics varied in size, ranging from 0.45 μm to 28 mm, with the most common colours being black, blue and transparent. These findings highlight the potential risks of consuming these organisms regardless of their source and the need for further investigation into the effects of these pollutants on human health. https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/5569MythilicultureItaipu BeachCedro BeachMarine litterSodium hydroxideCoastal environments
spellingShingle Lucas Aguiar Leal Rocha
Helena Antunes Portela
Mônica Regina da Costa Marques Calderari
Fábio Vieira de Araújo
Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
Scientia Marina
Mythiliculture
Itaipu Beach
Cedro Beach
Marine litter
Sodium hydroxide
Coastal environments
title Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
title_full Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
title_fullStr Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
title_short Assessment of macro-, meso- and microplastics in wild and cultivated Perna perna mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
title_sort assessment of macro meso and microplastics in wild and cultivated perna perna mussels mollusca bivalvia
topic Mythiliculture
Itaipu Beach
Cedro Beach
Marine litter
Sodium hydroxide
Coastal environments
url https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/5569
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