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

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...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied environmental research 2022-01, Vol.44 (1)
Main Authors: Phaothep Cherdsukjai, Vararin Vongpanich, Pensiri Akkajit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental management
Environmental monitoring
Environmental pollution
Impacts on human health
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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
ISSN:2287-0741
2287-075X