Preliminary study and first evidence of presence of microplastics and colorants in green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758), from southeast coast of India

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2019-03, Vol.140, p.416-422
• Main Author: S A, Naidu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Bioavailability; Bivalvia; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Coasts; Colorants; Coloring agents; Coloring Agents - analysis; Colour; DXR Raman spectroscopy; Environmental health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Filter feeders; Fishing; Food Chain; Food chains; Food webs; Harbors; Harbours; Humans; Identification methods; India; Marine environment; Microplastics; Mollusks; Perna - chemistry; Perna viridis; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Plastics - analysis; Pollution; Polymers; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Polystyrenes - analysis; Public health; Residence time; Seafood; Seafood - analysis; Shellfish; Soft tissues; Tissue; Tissues; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.024

Pollution by microplastics (MPs) is currently a global problem in the coastal and marine environment. Transfer of MPs from land to sea and their inclusion in the food web has a significant adverse effect on the marine life and human health. The present study was carried out at the fishing harbour of Chennai, southeast coast of India. The possible MPs were isolated from the soft tissues of the commercially important bivalve Perna viridis and examined by microscopic and DXR Raman spectroscopic methods. The MPs were identified as to be polystyrene polymers in the soft tissues. This investigation revealed that size and color are the major factors affecting the bioavailability of MPs to bivalves in the study area. The presence of colorants in organisms revealed an anthropogenic origin through the use of a wide array of applications. Hence, coastal zones are a hotspot for pollution by MPs, and filter feeding bivalves are at the highest risk. Therefore, further studies are required to understand the accumulation rates and residence time of MPs across the food webs. [Display omitted] •The possible microplastic particles (MPs) were isolated from the soft tissues of Asian green Mussel, Perna viridis.•Ingested MPs examined by microscopic and DXR Raman spectroscopy methods.•MPs were identified as polystyrene polymers and thread like fibres in the soft tissues of Perna viridis.•The presence of colorants in organisms revealed an anthropogenic origin through the use of a wide array of applications.