Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in market bivalves from South Korea SCIE SCOPUS

Cited 230 time in WEB OF SCIENCE Cited 281 time in Scopus
Title
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in market bivalves from South Korea
Author(s)
Cho, Youna; Shim, Won Joon; Jang, Mi; Han, Gi Myung; Hong, Sang Hee
KIOST Author(s)
Cho, You Na(조유나)Shim, Won Joon(심원준)Jang, Mi(장미)Han, Gi Myung(한기명)Hong, Sang Hee(홍상희)
Alternative Author(s)
조유나; 심원준; 장미; 한기명; 홍상희
Publication Year
2019-02
Abstract
Microplastic contamination in marine organisms is a growing environmental issue with implications for seafood safety. Among marine organisms, shellfish are considered to be an important route of human exposure to microplastics because they filter a large volume of seawater while feeding and, thus, accumulate microplastics from seawater; furthermore, they are consumed whole, without gut removal. In this study, a market survey was carried out to understand microplastic contamination in domestic bivalves sold in fishery markets in three major cities of South Korea. Four popular bivalve species, oyster (Crassostrea gigas), mussel (Mytilus edulis), Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) and scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), were selected as monitoring species. which together account for 79-84% of total shellfish consumption in Korea. The mean concentration of microplastics in these four species was 0.15 +/- 0.20 n/g and 0.97 +/- 0.74 n/individual. Fragments and particles smaller than 300 mu m were dominant shape and size, accounting for 76% and 65% of total microplastics, respectively. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyester were the major polymer types. Interestingly, differing polymer compositions were observed according to the culture methods and habitat characteristics of each species. PS was found in high proportions in oysters and mussels cultured in the upper layer of the water column, while the proportions decreased and those of polyester increased in Manila clams and scallops that were cultured in intertidal sediments or the middle and bottom layers of the water column. The annual dietary intake of microplastics by the Korean population via shellfish consumption was estimated as 212 n/person.year. Our results suggested that microplastic pollution is widespread in commercial bivalves and we recommend a systematic and integrative market-basket survey to clarify the current status of human exposure to microplastics. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0269-7491
URI
https://sciwatch.kiost.ac.kr/handle/2020.kiost/694
DOI
10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.091
Bibliographic Citation
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, v.245, pp.1107 - 1116, 2019
Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Subject
MUSSELS MYTILUS-EDULIS; PLASTIC MARINE DEBRIS; COASTAL WATERS; SURFACE WATERS; CONTAMINATION; INGESTION; BEACHES; FIBERS; SEA; POLLUTION
Keywords
Microplastics; Contamination; Bivalves; Seafood; Market survey
Type
Article
Language
English
Document Type
Article
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