Risk assessments of microplastic exposure in bivalves living in the coral reefs of Vietnam

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2024-12, Vol.209 (Pt A), p.117111, Article 117111
• Main Authors: Le, Thao Xuan Thanh, Duong, Manh Tuan, Huynh, Long Duc, Pham, Huyen Thu, Van Pham, Toi, Van Do, Manh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Atrina vexillum; Bivalve; Bivalvia; cellophane; Coral reef; Coral Reefs; corals; Ecological risk; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; marine pollution; Microplastic; microplastics; Microplastics - analysis; Pinctada margaritifera; Pinna bicolor; pollution load; polyamides; polyethylene; polyethylene terephthalates; risk; Risk Assessment; Saccostrea; Sediment; sediments; species; tissue weight; tissues; Vietnam; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117111

This study aimed to assess the presence of microplastics in bottom sediment and bivalve species, including Pinna bicolor, Atrina vexillum, Saccostrea sp., and Pinctada margaritifera, living in coral reefs on Vietnam's Southern coastal. The average microplastic abundance were 0.45 ± 0.13 items/g of wet soft tissue weight or 5.60 ± 1.49 items/individual in bivalve samples and 294 ± 43 items/kg dry weight of sediment samples. The fragment shape, size smaller than 100 μm, and polyethylene, polyamide, cellophane and polyethylene terephthalate were identified as the predominant constituents of the microplastics. The pollution load and potential ecological risk index of microplastics were at a minor level, whereas the polymer hazard index was at a high level. Overall, this study provides a basis for assessing the risks posed by microplastics in the marine ecosystems of Vietnam. [Display omitted] •A preliminary study of microplastic pollution in coral reef systems of Vietnam•A strong positive relationship exists between the abundance of microplastics in bivalves and sediment samples.•Potential ecological risks posed by microplastics were assessed.