Microplastic accumulation in New Zealand green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus and the role of microplastics in the uptake of triclosan
Abstract
Small plastic particles, known as microplastics, are of increasing concern for marine and freshwater species. Microplastics have been reported globally in a wide range of marine species including mussels, crabs, fish and seabirds. This was the first study to investigate microplastic accumulation in the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. This thesis investigated microplastic accumulation in the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and the effects of microplastics, both singly and in combination with triclosan (a hydrophobic, anti-microbial compound), on the green-lipped mussel. Microplastic accumulation in green-lipped mussels around New Zealand was investigated using a field survey whereby mussels were collected from eight mussel beds around New Zealand with a more in depth survey conducted in Canterbury. Mussels were acid digested and the resulting digests observed under fluorescence coupled microscope to identify potential microplastic particles. Across both National and Canterbury mussel surveys, 35% of mussel samples analysed contained microplastics, the majority (78%) of the plastics isolated were fragments, with fibres (13%) and beads (9%) also located. Microplastics can sorb hydrophobic contaminants from the water, potentially providing an additional pathway of exposure of marine species to contaminants. An acute 48 h laboratory study was conducted to investigate the effects of microplastics and triclosan, both individually and combined, on green-lipped…
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