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Due to the prevalence of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, aquatic organisms are at high risk for accumulating microplastics (MPs). Filter-feeding bivalves, such as mussels and oysters, may be exposed to, and subsequently accumulate, MPs due to the high volume of water they pass through their bodies. This study assessed the levels of MPs within Atlantic ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa), a common filter feeder found along the United States Atlantic Coast, from 12 sites within Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay, collectively known as the Delaware Inland Bays. Composited mussels from each site were digested using potassium hydroxide and filtered. Microplastics were physically identified, sorted based on color, and counted using a digital microscope. Microplastics, almost entirely dominated by synthetic microfibers, were found in all mussels well above laboratory blanks. Across all sites, 40% of microfibers were black, and 27% of fibers were clear. The composite concentrations of MPs ranged from 0.25 to 2.06 particles/g wet tissue, with a mean of 0.08 ± 0.06. In general, higher concentrations were found in mussels collected at sites that were adjacent to more urbanized land use versus those from rural sites. At two sites, individual mussels, in addition to composites, were analyzed and had MP concentrations ranging from 11 to 69 particles/mussel. This study represents the first evaluation of MPs in this ecologically important coastal species and suggests its viability as a biomonitoring species for microplastic pollution.
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This content will become publicly available on April 2, 2026
Perceptions about potential microplastic interventions: a study on knowledge, concerns, and willingness to pay
Among emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) are of particular concern due to their ubiquity across environments and the unique challenges posed by attempted removal. In-line washing machine filters are one potential tool for preemptively preventing a category of MPs from entering waterways. A sample of registered voters and environmental interest groups in Oregon were asked about their general knowledge and concerns surrounding microplastics, as well as their willingness to pay for high-efficiency washing machine filters. Findings show that less than a quarter of all respondents would be willing to pay full price for a high-efficiency filter, indicating a limited-scale early adopter program may be a more feasible implementation option. Up to 20% more people may support if part of the cost were to be covered by a government subsidy. Understanding consumer knowledge, characteristics, and willingness to pay (WTP) for filters across demographics can be particularly beneficial to researchers and policymakers looking to engage early adopters for this potential solution to the ongoing issue of MPs.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2115447
- PAR ID:
- 10580949
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer Nature
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Microplastics and Nanoplastics
- Volume:
- 5
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2662-4966
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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