MICROPLASTIC IN SEDIMENTS AND CLAM (Meretrix lyrata) AND OYSTER (Crassostrea rivularis)

Abstract

Microplastics in the aquatic environment have caused adverse effects on aquatic organisms and may affect human health. This study collected sediment samples and two bivalve molluscs: clam (Meretrix lyrata) and oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) in Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City to investigate microplastic concentration and microplastic bioaccumulation. Research results show that the concentration of microplastics in the sediment is 3,233 microplastics/m2 (or 20.3 mg/kg). The concentrations of microplastics in two species of clam and oyster were 1.33 and 1.11 microplastics/individual, respectively. In sediment and organism samples, the microplastic shape were films, fragments, or fibers, and the bead was not recorded. In terms of color, white microplastics predominated with 41% and 55% respectively in sediments and organisms. The size of microplastics in sediments, oysters, and clams gradually decreased, with values of 2.98 mm, 1.81 mm, and 0.77 mm, respectively. The analysis results showed that clams had a higher accumulation of microplastics than an oyster and the biota sediment accumulation factors were respectively 5.20 and 0.63.