Oysters and mussels as equivalent sentinels of microplastics and natural particles in coastal environments

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Victor Vasques ; Nobre, Caio Rodrigues ; Moreno, Beatriz Barbosa ; Semensatto, Decio ; Sanz-Lazaro, Carlos ; Moreira, Lucas Buruaem ; Castro, Italo Braga

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 874, p. 12-pg., 2023-03-01.

Abstract

Filter-feeder organisms such as oyster and mussels are exposed to particles like microplastics (MPs). Although widely used to monitor MPs contamination, little is known about their performance as sentinels, which are biological moni-tors accumulating contaminants without significant adverse effects. This study comparatively evaluated the quantita-tive and qualitative accumulation of MPs by oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) and mussels (Perna perna) along a gradient of contamination in a highly urbanized estuarine system of Brazil. In the most contaminated site, both species pre-sented the worst status of nutrition and health, and also one of the highest MPs levels reported for molluscs to date (up to 44.1 particles center dot g-1). Despite some inter-specific differences, oysters and mussels were suitable and showed an equivalent performance as sentinels, reflecting the gradient condition demonstrated for other contaminants in the re-gion. The similarity in MPs accumulation was also observed for qualitative aspects (polymer composition, sizes, shapes and colors). Particles were mostly <1000 mu m, fibrous, colorless and composed by cellulose and polymethyl methacry-late (PMMA). Thus, despite small variations, the usage of C. brasiliana and P. perna is recommended and provides re-liable information for environmental levels of microplastics. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/08960-7 - Mussels (Perna perna) and oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) as bioindicators of microplastic contamination in the Santos estuary (SP)
• Grantee: Victor Vasques Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 21/08471-9 - Whole transcriptome analysis of benthic organisms as models to estimate toxic effects of contaminated sediments in marine environments
• Grantee: Lucas Buruaem Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - BIOTA - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 20/00068-8 - Whole transcriptome analysis of benthic organisms as models to estimate toxic effects of contaminated sediments in marine environments
• Grantee: Lucas Buruaem Moreira
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Young Investigators Grants