Abundance of microplastics in cultured oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Danang Bay of Vietnam

This study focuses on determination of quantity, shape, size and polymer types of microplastics in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in Danang Bay, Vietnam. Visual verification and chemical identification of microplastics was carried out by mu FT-IR spectra using Nicolet iN10 MX Infrared Imaging Microscope. The average abundance of microplastic in oysters was 1.88 +/- 1.58 particles/g (wet weight) and 18.54 +/- 10.08 particles/individual. The prevalent shape of microplastics included three main forms as fragment, fiber and bead corresponding to 73.71; 25.84 and 0.45%, respectively. Additionally, the size of microplastics was a range of 22.4-1318.8 mu m, and the most common size was less than 100 mu m, accounted for 77.30%. Fifteen polymer types were detected while Nylon was the most abundant polymer type with 50.56%. In this study, microplastics accumulation with their abundance and polymeric structures could be considered as reliable evidence for further studies on assessment of their potential risk to human health.

Automated summary

This study examined the quantity, shape, size, and polymer types of microplastics in Pacific oysters cultured in Danang Bay, Vietnam. The findings provide reliable evidence for further studies on the potential health risks associated with microplastics.