Microplastics in mussels sampled from coastal waters and supermarkets in the United Kingdom. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Jiana; Green, Christopher; Reynolds, Alan; Shi, Huahong; Rotchell, Jeanette M.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 241(2018)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Mytilus -- Microplastics -- Shellfish -- Human consumption; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Global contamination of the marine environment by plastic has led to the discovery of microplastics in a range of marine species, including those for human consumption. In this study, the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic debris in seawater and mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) from coastal waters of the U.K., as well as supermarket sources, was investigated. These were detected in all samples from all sites with spatial differences observed. Seawater samples taken from 6 locations (in triplicates) displayed 3.5 ± 2.0 debris items/L on average (range: 1.5–6.7 items/L). In wild mussels sampled from 8 locations around the U.K. coastal environment, the number of total debris items varied from 0.7 to 2.9 items/g of tissue and from 1.1 to 6.4 items/individual. For the supermarket bought mussels, the abundance of microplastics was significantly higher in pre-cooked mussels (1.4 items/g) compared with mussels supplied live (0.9 items/g). Micro-FT-IR spectroscopy was conducted on 136 randomly selected samples, with 94 items characterized. The spectra found that 50% of these debris items characterized were microplastic, with an additional 37% made up of rayon and cotton fibers. The microplastic levels detected in the supermarket bought mussels present a route for human exposure and suggests that their quantification be included as food safety management measures as well as for environmental monitoring health measures. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Coastal mussels sampled from around the United Kingdom all contain microplastics. Supermarket bought mussels for human consumption also all contain microplastics. 43%/57% of debris items from coastal/supermarket mussels were microplastics. Predicted ingestion of 70 microplastic items in 100 g processed mussels by consumers. Abstract : Microplastics in seawater, coastal mussels and supermarket mussels.