Accumulation of microplastic fibers in estuarine oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) and hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) distributed in Thi Nai Lagoon, Gia Lai Province

Microplastic pollution in mollusks has recently received increasing research attention in Vietnam. In Gia Lai Province, hard clams (Meretrix meretrix) and estuarine oysters (Crassostrea rivularis) are two species of significant nutritional and economic importance, highly favored by consumers. However, to date, no studies on microplastics have been conducted on these two species in the province. This study was conducted to determine the number and some characteristics of microplastic fibers accumulated in estuarine oysters and hard clams inhabiting Thi Nai Lagoon, Gia Lai Province. A total of 30 samples of each species were collected from local fishermen for analysis. The results showed that the number of microplastic fibers per gram of wet weight and per gram of tissue weight in hard clams (1.41 ± 0.77 and 5.16 ± 3.05, respectively) was significantly higher than that in estuarine oysters (0.17 ± 0.08 and 1.20 ± 0.58, respectively). However, the number of microplastic fibers per individual in estuarine oysters (15.37 ± 6.61) was not significantly different from that in hard clams (16.10 ± 9.35). Most microplastic fibers found were 500–2500 µm in length (accounting for 78.92% in estuarine oysters and 74.95% in hard clams). Yellow and white fibers were more abundant than other colors in both mollusk species.