Microplastics and anthropogenic debris in the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) from the southern Buenos Aires coast, Southwest Atlantic.

) and filtration (GF/F, 47 mm, 0.7 μm pore). Microplastic particles were examined using a Nikon SM-Z1500 lens and identified via Perkin Elmer micro-FTIR spectroscopy. Analysis of 145 individuals revealed 346 MP particles, with an average size of 1226.17 ± 47.73 μm. While microfibres were the dominant morphology, µFTIR analysis identified the polymers as polyacrylates, thermoplastic polyesters, styrene/isoprene block copolymers (SIS), and other anthropogenic materials. This study provides the first baseline data on MP contamination in wild oysters from a significant environmental region of the Western South Atlantic coastline, underscoring implications for food security and potential human health risks.