Intra-annual variation in microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) inhabiting an urbanized bay of South Korea

Jongwook Jeong; Won Joon Shim; Youna Cho; Gi Myung Han; Mi Jang; Sang Hee Hong

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115673

Intra-annual variation in microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) inhabiting an urbanized bay of South Korea

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Nov:196:115673. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115673. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Authors

Jongwook Jeong¹, Won Joon Shim¹, Youna Cho¹, Gi Myung Han², Mi Jang², Sang Hee Hong³

Affiliations

¹ Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
² Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea.
³ Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shhong@kiost.ac.kr.

PMID: 37866056
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115673

Abstract

This study investigated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in mussels from an urbanized bay in Korea, focusing on intra-annual variation. The average MP concentration was 0.36 ± 0.14 n/g w.w. (1.24 ± 0.56 n/individual). MPs were detected throughout the year with minor monthly variation and no significant monthly changes. Although there was no correlation between MP concentration in mussel and seawater, a positive relationship was observed when normalizing MPs to mussel's condition index (except for July). Polypropylene, polyethylene and acrylate polymer were dominant MPs, with high-density polymers comprising 59 % of the total. Most MPs were fragments and particles <200 μm. This study indicates that strict time restrictions for mussel sampling may not be necessary to assess MP levels in this bay. Additionally, considering MPs in seawater, biological conditions of mussel may be essential for understanding variations in MP levels in mussels. Including small MPs (<200 μm) and high-density polymers in MP assessment is recommended.

Keywords: Biomonitoring; Coastal environment; Intra-annual variation; Microplastic; Mussel.

MeSH terms

Animals
Bays
Environmental Monitoring
Microplastics
Mytilus*
Plastics
Republic of Korea
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical