Occurrence of microplastics in bivalves from the northern coast of Viet Nam
Résumé
Microplastics (MPs), which are plastic particles ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm, may pose a significant health risk to humans as they can be ingested through various exposure pathways. Microplastics (MPs), which are plastic particles ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm, may pose a significant health risk to humans as they can be ingested through various exposure pathways. In this study, the abundance of MPs in two bivalve species, the blood cockle (Anadara sp.) and the green mussel (Perna viridis) collected from the northern coast of Viet Nam was examined. The influence of season and location was evaluated. The influence of season and location was evaluated. Total particles were counted and characterized using both a stereomicroscope and an infrared microscopy imaging system. The results indicated the presence of MPs in both species, with an average of 1.84 and 4.33 MP.ind−1 or 0.73 and 0.87 MP.g−1 of fresh tissue for the blood cockle and green mussel, respectively. Significant differences were found between locations when MP concentrations were expressed as items.g−1 but not as items.ind−1. The shape and color of MPs were not influenced by season or studied site, while the dominant size range of MPs was less than 1000 µm. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the main polymers for fragments found in both species, with a percentage higher than 88 %. Human exposure to MPs was evaluated and could reach 11,500 MP. person−1. year−1 via bivalve consumption. However, this result is lower than other exposure routes, such as drinking and inhalation. More investigations into MPs contamination are necessary to better characterize the sources and reduce contamination, for the protection of environmental and human health.