Abstract
Our study aimed to identify the microplastic concentrations in a bivalve (Perna perna), identifying possible relationships with microplastics found in surface water, checking if this species is a good bioindicator for this type of pollution. The average of microplastics in mussels was 1.4 ± 0.3 MPs.g−1 ww and 8.3 ± 1.0 MPs.individual −1, while the concentration in surface water samples was 41.4 ± 15.7 MPs.L−1. The results showed that both matrices contained significative differences of microplastics between sites and periods and had a close relationship between them, possibly caused by physiological characteristics of organisms and variations in the concentration of microplastics in the surrounding water. A negative relationship was observed between the weights of organisms and the concentration of microplastics per gram, possibly related to the filtration/excretion rates of the different sizes of organisms. Yet, Spearman correlation evidenced positive relationship between the concentrations, as well as similarities in the shapes, colors and sizes of the microplastics found in the both studied matrices, with a predominance of fibers, black and smaller than 0.5 mm. In this way, we conclude that the mussel P. perna is a good bioindicator of microplastic pollution, however, future studies in other regions are needed to consolidate the results of the present study.
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