This study evaluated microplastic (MP) abundances and physico-chemical characteristics in sediments and Anadara granosa along the East Java coast and their health implications. Fibers (74 %) dominated sediment MPs at south coast, while fragments (49-61 %) dominated north coast. Fiber (43-52 %) is the predominant MP in cockle tissues in all locations. Most MP in sediments (31-47 %) and cockle tissues (41-49 %) is black. The majority of microplastics (100-1500 μm) are found in sediment (73-90 %), and cockles (77-79 %). Very weak correlations found between the amount of MP and the length of the cockle shell. However, Spearman correlation shows that as the amount of MP in sediment increases, so does the amount of MP in cockle tissue. Each year, individuals of varying ages consume an average of 20,800 to 156,000 MP items. Cockles contain plasticizer components and microplastic polymers which are classified from II to V regarding of hazard levels, with V being the most hazardous.
Keywords: Bivalvia; Health risk; Marine pollution; Plasticizer; Polymers.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.