Identification Of Microplastics Research Articles

High sensitivity in quantitative analysis of mixed-size polystyrene micro/nanoplastics in one step

As emerging environmental pollutants, microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) pose a serious threat to human health. Owing to the lack of feasible and reliable analytical methods, the separation and identification of MPs and NPs of different sizes remains a challenge. In this study, a hyphenated method involving filtration and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the separation and identification of MPs and NPs is reported. This method not only avoids the loss of MPs and NPs during the transfer process but also provides an excellent SERS substrate. The SERS substrate was fabricated by electrochemically depositing silver particles onto the reduced graphene oxide layer coated on stainless steel mesh. Results show that polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs are efficiently separated on the SERS substrate via vacuum filtration, resulting in high retention rates (74.26 % ± 1.58 % for 100 nm, 80.50 % ± 2.67 % for 500 nm, and 97.73 % ±0.11 % for 5 μm) and low limit of detection (LOD). The LOD values of 100 nm, 500 nm, and 5 μm PS are 8.89 × 10−5, 3.39 × 10−5, and 1.57 × 10−4 μg/mL, respectively. More importantly, a linear relationship for uniform quantification of 100 nm, 500 nm, 3 μm and 5 μm PS was established, and the relationship is Y = 225.61 lgX + 1076.36 with R2 = 0.980. The method was validated for the quantitative analysis of a mixture of 100 nm, 500 nm PS NPs, 3 μm and 5 μm PS MPs in a ratio of 1:1:1:1, which successfully approaches the evaluation of evaluated PS NPs in the range of 10−4–10 μg/mL with an LOD value of approximately 7.82 × 10−5 μg/mL. Moreover, this method successfully detected (3.87 ± 0.06) × 10−5 μg MPs and NPs per gram of oyster tissue.

Microplastics in Groundwater: Pathways, Occurrence, and Monitoring Challenges

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, are considered an emerging pollutant. Their presence in the water cycle and their interaction with ecological processes pose a significant environmental threat. As groundwater (GW) represents the primary source of drinking water, monitoring MPs in GW and investigating their potential sources and pathways is of urgent importance. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the primary contamination pathways of MPs from surface water, seawater, and soil into the GW. Moreover, it presents an examination of the occurrence of MPs in GW and identifies the challenges associated with their monitoring in GW. This study also discusses the difficulties associated with comparing research results related to MPs in GW, as well as indicating the need for implementing standardised techniques for their sampling and detection. On the basis of our experience and the literature review, we highlight the importance of understanding the specific hydrogeological and hydrogeographic conditions, collecting representative samples, using sampling devices with comparable specifications and comparable laboratory techniques for MP identification, and preventing contamination at all stages of the monitoring process. This review offers valuable insights and practical guidelines on how to improve the reliability and comparability of results between studies monitoring MPs in GW.

Microplastic analysis in sediments of the Elbe River by electrostatic separation and differential scanning calorimetry

This study presents the most extensive investigation of microplastic (MP) contents in sediment from the Elbe River. We employed electrostatic separation (ES) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to overcome limitations of sample throughput and time-consuming analysis. In total 43 sediment samples were collected using a Van-Veen grab. Subsequently, coarse materials (d10 > 100 μm) and fine materials (d10 ≤ 100 μm) were enriched using ES and density separation. DSC was utilized for MP identification and quantification, based on the phase-transition signals of eight different polymers. MP presence was detected in 25 samples, with successful quantification in 12 samples. The MP content in coarse material samples from shoreline areas ranged from 0.52 to 1.30 mg/kg, while in fine material samples from harbor basins, it ranged from 5.0 to 44.6 mg/kg. The most prevalent polymers identified were LD-PE, HD-PE, PP, and PCL. These findings confirmed the suitability of DSC for analyzing MP in complex environmental samples. MP hotspots were identified in harbor basins, where natural sedimentation processes and increased anthropogenic activities contribute to MP accumulation. Additionally, industrial sewage potentially contributed to MP content in sediment samples. The highest pollution levels were observed in the middle Elbe, between the confluences of Mulde and Havel. Lowest MP contents were found in the lower Elbe, potentially influenced by tides. Future studies should focus on holistic investigations of selected river sections, encompassing sediment, water, and biota samples, rather than the entire catchment area. This approach would facilitate the generation of spatiotemporal data on MP distribution in freshwater streams. In addition, more research is needed to explore potential interactions between different MP and sediment types during DSC measurements.

Analysis of aged microplastics: a review

AbstractMicroplastics are emerging contaminants that undergo progressive aging under environmental conditions such as sunlight irradiation, mechanical forces, temperature variations, and the presence of biological organisms. Since aging modifies microplastic properties, such as their own toxicity and the toxicity of trapped pollutants, advanced methods to analyze microplastics are required. Here we review methods to analyze microplastic aging with focus on the aging process, qualitative identification, quantitative characterization, and chemometrics. Qualitative identification is done by mechanical techniques, thermal techniques, e.g., thermal degradation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and spectral techniques, e.g., infrared, Raman, fluorescent, and laser techniques. Quantitative characterization is done by microscopy and mass spectrometry. Microplastic aging results in a series of surface physical changes, biofilm formation, chemical oxidation, thermal alternation, and mechanical deterioration. Changes in mechanical and thermal properties allow to differentiate aged microplastics. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy are rapid and sensitive for chemical identification of microplastics in complex environmental samples. Combining two techniques is preferable for accurate detection and categorization.

Advancing microplastic surveillance through photoacoustic imaging and deep learning techniques

Microplastic contamination presents a significant global environmental threat, yet scientific understanding of its morphological distribution within ecosystems remains limited. This study introduces a pioneering method for comprehensive microplastic assessment and environmental monitoring, integrating photoacoustic imaging and advanced deep learning techniques. Rigorous curation of diverse microplastic datasets enhances model training, yielding a high-resolution imaging dataset focused on shape-based discrimination. The introduction of the Vector-Quantized Variational Auto Encoder (VQVAE2) deep learning model signifies a substantial advancement, demonstrating exceptional proficiency in image dimensionality reduction and clustering. Furthermore, the utilization of Vector Quantization Microplastic Photoacoustic imaging (VQMPA) with a proxy task before decoding enhances feature extraction, enabling simultaneous microplastic analysis and discrimination. Despite inherent limitations, this study lays a robust foundation for future research, suggesting avenues for enhancing microplastic identification precision through expanded sample sizes and complementary methodologies like spectroscopy. In conclusion, this innovative approach not only advances microplastic monitoring but also provides valuable insights for future environmental investigations, highlighting the potential of photoacoustic imaging and deep learning in bolstering sustainable environmental monitoring efforts.

Characterization of microplastics in skim-milk powders

The diffusion of microplastics in the food supply chain is prompting public concern as their impact on human health is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microplastics in skim-milk powder samples (n = 16) from different European countries (n = 8) through Fourier-transform infrared micro-spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode analysis. The present study highlights that the use of hot alkaline digestion has enabled the efficacious identification of microplastics in skim-milk powders used for cheese-making across European countries. The adopted protocol allowed detection of 29 different types of polymeric matrices for a total of 536 plastic particles. The most abundant microplastics were polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Microplastics were found in skim-milk powders in 3 different shapes (fiber, sphere, and irregular fragments) and 6 different colors (black, blue, brown, fuchsia, green, and gray). Results demonstrate the presence of microplastics in all skim-milk powder samples, suggesting a general contamination. Results of the present study will help to evaluate the impact of microplastics intake on human health.

Microplastic Abundance in the Locally Produced Commercial Compost and the Characteristics

Compost is a widely used soil amendment in the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. Applying compost could improve soil quality, and it is used in reclaiming degraded agricultural lands. However, low grade compost that contains pollutants may have adverse effects on the quality of the agro-ecosystem. Microplastic is a possible contaminant that can be moved into the agro-ecosystem through poor quality compost application. The present study was conducted to assess the microplastic availability and characteristics of locally produced municipal solid waste and agricultural waste compost. Representing commercial scale agricultural and municipal solid waste composting facilities; twenty compost samples with three replicates were obtained for microplastic identification. A combination of methods (manual separation, oxidation digestion plus density separation) was used to separate and detect microplastics from compost samples. This study revealed that; microplastics are present in agricultural and municipal solid waste compost. Municipal solid waste compost contained significantly (p<0.05) higher microplastic than agricultural waste compost (on average 0.63% and 0.033%, respectively). Average amount of soft plastic content in municipal solid waste compost and agricultural waste compost (1321 items/kg and 71 items/kg, respectively) were higher than the hard plastics (388 items/kg and 37 items/kg, respectively). The study confirmed that compost could act as a carrier of microplastics in agricultural ecosystems. It can be recommended that quality standards should be implemented to minimize the microplastic content in compost and the code of practices for municipal solid waste compost production should be updated to control microplastic contamination to safeguard the quality of agro-ecosystems.

Generation of synthetic FTIR spectra to facilitate chemical identification of microplastics

In a context where learning databases of microplastic FTIR spectra are often incomplete, the objective of our work was to test whether a synthetic data generation method could be relevant to fill the gaps. To this end, synthetic spectra were generated to create new databases. The effectiveness of machine learning from these databases was then tested and compared with previous results. The results showed that the creation of synthetic learning databases could avoid, to a certain extent, the need for learning databases of environmental microplastics FTIR spectra. However, some limitations were encountered, for example, when two different chemical classes had very similar reference spectra or when the intensities of the bands associated with fouling became too intense. The FTIR study of the ageing and fouling of microplastics in the natural environment is one of the identified ways that could further improve this approach.

Spectral analysis of environmental microplastic polyethylene (PE) using average spectra

In this study, microplastic samples from surface seawater of Tokyo Bay were collected, polyethylene (PE) microplastics were used to calculate carbonyl index (CI), and average spectra of PE were analyzed and compared with a previous study applying agitation during chemical treatment. It was found that PE and polypropylene (PP) were the predominant polymer type in the samples. Among PE samples, fragments were the most commonly observed shape, with white being the dominant color. Deviations were found in the average spectra among different shapes and colors when compared to the standard PE spectrum. A comparison of the average spectra between the two datasets suggests that pronounced peaks related to oxidation are most likely resulted from agitation during the chemical treatment. Additionally, it was found a closer spectral resemblance between the sample spectra and the spectrum of standard sample of oxidized PE (PEOx) than with the standard PE spectrum, suggesting that using the oxidized PE as a reference spectrum might be more effective for identification. These findings highlight the complex factors affecting the spectral properties of microplastics and highlight the importance of understanding these variations to enhance the accuracy of microplastic identification workflows and understanding of environmental fate of microplastics.

Identification and quantification of microplastics in salts by complementary approaches using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (Py-GC/QTOFMS) and laser direct infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging analysis

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been suspected as contaminants in various foodstuffs, including salts, all over the world. Regarding the different sizes and polymer types, the mass concentrations of actual plastic particles in salt are not very clear. The purpose of this study is to develop a scalable method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs and NPs by using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Quadrupole-Time of Flight mass spectrometry (Py-GC/QTOFMS) to detect their mass concentrations in salt samples. The targeted and suspected lists of polymers in salts were compiled based on the combined results of the high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) full scanning with auxiliary MS dataset and the laser direct infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging analysis. The seven targeted MPs with polymer standards, i.e., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polycarbonate (PC), were first subjected to a full MS scanning mode of the Py-GC/QTOFMS analysis. Subsequently, the parental masses of their pyrolysis compounds were used as the seeds to generate the related daughter masses. This process established both retention time and mass-pairs matching for the target MS/MS mode for enabling the identification and quantification of the particles. The suspected MPs with a matching degree >0.65 in the LDIR list were explored either by the full scan MS. Only PVC was identified, and PET was suspected. The Py-GC/QTOFMS result is complementary and comparable to the LDIR detection with the matching degree >0.85. We identified that PVC and PET (suspected) can be measured in both commercial and bulk sea salts, and their concentrations in sea salts are much higher than in rock salts, implying heavy contamination of the seawater.

Effect of microplastics used in agronomic practices on agricultural soil properties and plant functions: Potential contribution to the circular economy of rural areas.

The extensive use of plastic materials and their improper disposal results in high amounts of plastic waste in the environment. Aging of plastics leads to their breakdown into smaller particles, such as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics. This research investigates plastics used in agricultural practices as they contribute to MP pollution in agricultural soils. The distribution and characteristics of MPs in agricultural soils were evaluated. In addition, the effect of MPs on soil properties, the relationship between MPs and metals in soil, the effect of MPs on the fate of pesticides in agricultural soils and the influence of MPs on plant growth were analysed, discussing legume, cereal and vegetable crops. Finally, a brief description of the main methods of chemical analysis and identification of MPs is presented. This study will contribute to a better understanding of MPs in agricultural soils and their effect on the soil-plant system. The changes induced by MPs in soil parameters can lead to potential benefits as it is possible to increase the availability of micronutrients and reduce plant uptake of toxic elements. Furthermore, although plastic pollution remains an emerging threat to soil ecosystems, their presence may result in benefits to agricultural soils, highlighting the principles of the circular economy.

Marine Macro- and Micro Plastic Litter on Beach Sediment of Northern Peninsular Malaysia

This paper investigates the spatial distribution of small plastic litter on the beach of Kuala Perlis and Pulau Langkawi in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. The objectives are to ascertain the categories of macro marine litter and macroplastic types, the amount of microplastic in the sediment layer, and the relationship between macroplastic and microplastic. Macro marine litter was collected in 100-meter transects at six different locations. Sediment samples for microplastic identification were collected using a quadrat measuring 0.5 m × 0.5 m with a depth of 0.05 m. Plastic accounts up most of the macro marine litter collected (73.8%), followed by glass (12%), fabric (7.8%), rubber (4.4%), wood (2%), and metal (0.07%). Between 2018 and 2020, the overall weight of macroplastic (>5 mm) litter and the amount of microplastic (<5 mm) litter on northern beaches were 80.371 g/m2 and 11.094 g/m3, respectively. In this investigation, macroplastic collected on the beach surface ranged from 0.02 g to 14.09 g/m2, while microplastic in the beach sediment ranged from 0 to 1.192 g/m3. The packaging category seems to have the highest percentage of collected macroplastic. At the 95% confidence level, the calculated R2 of 0.7444 indicates a substantial association between macroplastic and microplastic. The linear regression equation is y = 0.1927x + 0.0226, with y representing microplastic (g/m3) and x being macroplastic (g/m2). This strong link demonstrates that the presence of microplastic in sediment is strongly related to the abundance of macroplastic on the beach. This finding provides a good approximation of actual microplastic occurrence to macroplastic abundance, which will be useful in environmental evaluation and management approaches.

Preparation of synthetic micro- and nano plastics for method validation studies

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a persisting global problem. Accurate analysis is essential in quantifying the effects of microplastic pollution and develop novel technologies that reliably and reproducibly measure microplastic content in various samples. The most common methods for this are FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Coloured, standardized beads are often used for method validation tests, which limits the conclusions to a very specific case rarely observed in the natural environment. This study focuses on the preparation of reference micro- and nanoplastics via cryogenic milling and shows their use for FTIR and Raman method validation studies. MPs can now be reproducibly milled from various plastics, offering the advantages of a better representation of MPs in real environment. Moreover, this study highlights issues with the current detection methods, up to now considered as the most reliable ones for MP detection and identification. Such issues, e.g. misidentification, will need to be addressed in the future. Additionally, milled MPs were used in experiments with commercial high-resolution imaging device, enabling a possible in-situ optical detection of microplastics. These experiments represent a step forward in understanding MPs in a water sample and provide a basis for a more accurate detection and identification directly from water, which would considerably reduce the time of analysis.

Identification of Microplastics Using µ-Raman Spectroscopy in Surface and Groundwater Bodies of SE Attica, Greece

Sixteen surface (5) and groundwater (11) samples were collected from the south-eastern part of Attica, Greece, and analysed for physico-chemical parameters and microplastics (MPs) by optical microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy (RS). A total of 3399 particles were optically identified in all sixteen samples, ranging from only 16 particles/L in a sample from a deeper borehole to 513 particles/L in a sample from a shallow water well. They were then visually classified into eight categories based on their color, texture, size, reflectivity, shape, and general morphological properties. Raman microspectroscopy was performed on the particles on the filters and revealed four different types of MPs, namely polyethylene (PE, 35%), polypropylene (PP, 30%), polystyrene (PS, 10%), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 25%). The samples from the shallow phreatic aquifer contained more MPs than the samples from the deeper borehole, which contained fewer MPs and categories. This is to be expected, since the phreatic aquifer (a) is generally more contaminated, as it is close to human activities that generate MPs and its infiltration depth is only a few metres, which means that many microplastics can infiltrate at such shallow depths, and (b) it is exposed to the atmosphere, so they can also be suspended in the air. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that MPs, especially PET and PE, were detected in the borehole sample, suggesting that MPs can migrate to greater depths through water infiltration. Chemical analyses of the groundwater samples revealed high values of E.C., Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, and Na+, which indicate that seawater intrusion is taking place in the coastal aquifer system of the Erasinos basin. The increased concentrations of NO3− and PO43− also indicate the impact of agricultural activities.

Peptide-Decorated Microneedles for the Detection of Microplastics.

The escalating utilization of plastics in daily life has resulted in pervasive environmental pollution and consequent health hazards. The challenge of detecting and capturing microplastics, which are imperceptible to the naked eye, is exacerbated by their diminutive size, hydrophobic surface properties, and capacity to absorb organic compounds. This study focuses on the application of peptides, constituted of specific amino acid sequences, and microneedles for the rapid and selective identification of microplastics. Peptides, due to their smaller size and greater environmental stability compared with antibodies, emerge as a potent solution to overcome the limitations inherent in existing detection methodologies. To immobilize peptides onto microneedles, this study employed microneedles embedded with gold nanorods, augmenting them with sulfhydryl (SH) groups at the peptides' termini. The sensor developed through this methodology exhibited efficient peptide binding to the microneedle tips, thereby facilitating the capture of microplastics. Raman spectroscopy was employed for the detection of microplastics, with the results demonstrating successful attachment to the microneedles. This novel approach not only facilitates localized analysis but also presents a viable strategy for the detection of microplastics across diverse environmental settings.

Development of a machine‐learning model for microplastic analysis in an FT‐IR microscopy image

AbstractThe escalating concern regarding microplastics (MPs) in the environment has recently accentuated the need for comprehensive analyses across various matrices. Fourier Transfrom Infrared (FT‐IR) microscopy is widely used method for MP identification, but challenges arise due to the presence of secondary materials on real samples, causing inaccuracies in spectral matching. To tackle this issue, we propose a solution: a 1D‐convolution neural network (1D‐CNN) machine‐learning model classifying FT‐IR spectra into 16 polymer species. Using a dataset of 5413 spectra, with 80% (4330) for training and 20% (1083) for external testing, our method achieved 98.59% accuracy for cross‐validation and 92.34% for external validation. This study underscores the efficacy of machine learning in discerning polymer types among MPs, even in real samples tainted by secondary materials. The implementation of our 1D‐CNN model marks a significant leap in overcoming conventional method limitations, providing a robust tool for accurately unraveling MPs intricacies in environmental matrices.

Investigation of Microplastics Contamination in African Catfish Clarias gariepinus and Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fish Species in Owe River Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the presence of microplastics (MPs) contamination in surface water and two fish species (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) in Owe River. One Litre (1 L) of water samples were collected from four different locations along the river in triplicates, samples were digested to remove organic matters. Eighteen (18) numbers of fishes were collected for each species. Samples collected were dissected and the guts excised were digested with 10% Potassium hydroxide and 10% Hydrogen Peroxide. Both digested water and fish samples were filtered using 0.45µm membrane through a vacuum filtration apparatus. The filter papers were then observed under digital microscope (1600X RoHS China) for MPs identification. MPs were classified into colours and shapes. A total of 104 items was found in the gut of both fish species with an average of 4.33 ± 1.71 and 1.44 ± 0.70 items/individual for Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus respectively. Fiber was seen to be dominant in fish species compared to other MPs shapes identified.The abundance of MPs in the water samples ranged from 203 ± 50.64 to 724.33 ± 129.89 Items/L with a total of 1898± 198.34 Items/L. Most of the recovered MPs from river water samples were fragments. Attenuated total reflectance– Fourier transform infrared (ATR – FTIR) spectroscopic analyses led to the identification of four (4) plastic polymer types, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) jointly constituting 82 % of the plastic particles. The enormous anthropogenic activities and indiscriminate disposal of plastic themed wastes along the river course are notably contributing factors to the MPs contamination of Owe River. A serious monitoring of waste disposal and necessary mitigation process is advised.

Detection and Identification of Various Microplastics in Different Orthodontic Adhesives.

Background Microplastics are acknowledged as significant environmental contaminants. The clinical use of dental materials, particularly adhesives containing plastic polymers, can give rise to the production of plastic micro- and nanoparticles, which subsequently find their way into the environment. The aim of the study was to detect different microplastics and identify them in various orthodontic adhesives. Materials and methods Four different light cure orthodontic adhesives, including Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA), Ormco Enlight (Ormco, Orange, CA), Orthofix SPA (Orthofix, Verona, Italy), and Aqualine LC (Tomy International Inc, Tokyo, Japan), were collected and placed in separate Eppendorf tubes. Microplastics present in each adhesive were identified using scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, each specimen was suspended in hydrogen peroxide, placed within a shaking incubator, and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the type of polymer. Results The scanning electron microscope shows the surface morphologyand the most predominant types of microplastics identified were fibers, fragments, and pellets. FTIRresultsshowed the presence of several major functional groups, including hydroxyl, amine, ester, fluoro, and halo groups. Conclusion When contrasted with the quantity of microplastic waste generated by other sectors like the textile, cosmetic, and fishing industries, the microparticulate waste stemming from dental adhesives has a minimal effect on environmental deterioration. Strategies for addressing this concern should give precedence to reducing the use of these materials and adopting effective recovery methods, which could potentially involve recycling processes.

A Review of Microplastic Identification and Characterization Methods in Aquatic Environments

Plastic waste has become a major global issue, with over 390.7 million tons of plastic produced in 2021. Because of its durability, low recycling rates, poor waste management, and maritime use, a considerable portion of plastic waste ends up in aquatic environments. Photo-oxidation and other mechanisms degrade plastics into microplastics (MPs), which are particles smaller than 5 mm. MPs can spread through the aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic areas, and running waterways serve as conduits for MP transport across various ecosystems. MPs have been found at various levels of the food web, and animals can ingest, inhale, or absorb them through their skin. MPs pose a significant health risk to flora and fauna, including marine creatures and humans, due to their small size, diverse colors, high abundance, and ability to adsorb antibiotic-resistant pathogens, causing cytotoxicity, acute reactions, undesirable immunological responses, neurotoxicity, and DNA alteration. MPs have a negative economic impact on industries such as agriculture, fishing, tourism, etc. Detecting and quantifying the presence of MPs is therefore critical. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the various techniques and equipment used to detect and characterize MPs in aqueous environments. Identifying and educating the public about the primary sources of plastic pollution can help reduce the number of MPs in the environment.

Microplastic contamination in different shell length in Tivela mactroides (Born, 1778)

Microplastic identification and distribution throughout oceans has become a great concern due to its substantial uprising and its consequent interactions with marine biota. Microplastics can be absorbed and adsorbed by several marine species owing to their very small size. Among these organisms are bivalves, including ones used as food for humans. In this context, this research aims to understand the absorption scale of microplastics by Tivela mactroides according to their size and consequently life stage. Thus, T. mactroides mussels were collected at Camburi Beach (Brazil) and grouped into 30 different size classes from 06 to 35 mm. Later, 20 specimens from each size class (N = 600) had the soft tissues removed and a pool was performed through digestion with 10 % KOH solution. Results showed the presence of microplastics in all size classes of T. mactroides, evidencing that organisms from 06 mm can already be contaminated by microplastics and a tendency of the number of microplastics particles to increase as shell size increases. Furthermore, the amount of blue filament-type MPs was significantly higher than the other types and colors. Additionally, analyzes performed by Raman spectroscopy showed that the blue filaments have a PET composition. Finally, larger individuals presented larger quantities of MPs, as well as larger filaments. This might suggest that there are differences between the assimilation of the size of MPs in the different size classes, i.e. that size makes a difference.