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<p>This study provides the first assessment of microplastics (MPs) pollution in the commercially important bivalve <i>Meretrix aurora</i> across estuarine and coastal environments on the southeast coast of India, comparing the Punnakayal Estuary (Site 1) and the Tuticorin Coast (Site 2). MPs concentrations were assessed in bivalve tissues (n = 75 per site), surface water (n = 3), and intertidal sediments (n = 3). Bivalve tissues were digested with KOH, while water and sediment samples underwent oxidative digestion combined with NaCl density separation. Results showed higher MPs loads in <i>M. aurora</i> from the urbanized Tuticorin Coast (0.81 ± 0.16 items/individual) compared to the Punnakayal Estuary (0.44 ± 0.12 items/individual), even though Tuticorin displayed lower MPs levels in water and sediment. Fibres dominated the ingested particles (&gt; 60%), and nearly 80% were &lt; 1&#xa0;mm. FTIR spectra revealed polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA) as the most common polymers, pointing to packaging and fishing activities as key sources. The elevated MPs abundance in edible bivalves highlights potential risks to coastal food webs and human consumers. Overall, these findings establish <i>M. aurora</i> as a reliable bioindicator of MPs contamination and emphasize the urgent need for improved waste management and comprehensive monitoring in Indian coastal waters.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Assessment of microplastic contamination in Meretrix aurora from Punnakayal Estuary and Tuticorin Coast, Southeast India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月26日

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  • Shelciya S,
  • Jamila Patterson

摘要

This study provides the first assessment of microplastics (MPs) pollution in the commercially important bivalve Meretrix aurora across estuarine and coastal environments on the southeast coast of India, comparing the Punnakayal Estuary (Site 1) and the Tuticorin Coast (Site 2). MPs concentrations were assessed in bivalve tissues (n = 75 per site), surface water (n = 3), and intertidal sediments (n = 3). Bivalve tissues were digested with KOH, while water and sediment samples underwent oxidative digestion combined with NaCl density separation. Results showed higher MPs loads in M. aurora from the urbanized Tuticorin Coast (0.81 ± 0.16 items/individual) compared to the Punnakayal Estuary (0.44 ± 0.12 items/individual), even though Tuticorin displayed lower MPs levels in water and sediment. Fibres dominated the ingested particles (> 60%), and nearly 80% were < 1 mm. FTIR spectra revealed polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA) as the most common polymers, pointing to packaging and fishing activities as key sources. The elevated MPs abundance in edible bivalves highlights potential risks to coastal food webs and human consumers. Overall, these findings establish M. aurora as a reliable bioindicator of MPs contamination and emphasize the urgent need for improved waste management and comprehensive monitoring in Indian coastal waters.

Graphical abstract