Microplastics in wild mussels (<em>Mytilus</em> spp.) from the north coast of Spain

Pablo Reguera; Lucía Viñas; Jesús Gago

doi:10.3989/scimar.04927.05A

Authors

Pablo Reguera Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo - Universidade da Coruña, Facultade de Ciencias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0185-8119
Lucía Viñas Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3816-5359
Jesús Gago Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0188-9844

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.04927.05A

Keywords:

biota samples, NW Spain, seafood, biomonitoring, bivalve molluscs, microplastics

Abstract

Microplastic content (MPs) in mussels (Mytilus spp.) from two areas of the north coast of Spain was measured for the first time. Additionally, a comparison of microplastic levels observed in mussels digested with nitric acid and with potassium hydroxide was carried out. The average microplastic concentration in mussels digested with nitric acid was significantly lower than that observed in mussels digested with potassium hydroxide (p < 0.05). The average concentration of microplastics in mussels from the Cantabrian Sea (2.55±2.80 MPs g^–1 WW) was slightly higher than that in mussels from the Ria of Vigo (1.59±1.28 MPs g^–1 WW). Both in the Ria of Vigo and in the Cantabrian Sea the observed pattern of pollution was fitted to the one expected. Consequently, mussels have been confirmed as suitable sentinel organisms for microplastic pollution.

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