Journal
| Title | Bioaccumulation of microplastics in Echinolittorina sp. along intertidal areas of Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City, Philippines. Posted by Carlo Stephen Moneva |
| Authors | Jose Rafael L. Laput, Liza A. Adamat, Vanessa Mae C. Tumang, and Carlo Stephen O. Moneva |
| Publication date | 2024/02 |
| Journal | AACL Bioflux |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 499-507 |
| Publisher | Bioflux Publishing House |
| Abstract | Microplastics are of major environmental concern because they are not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. These microparticles have now found its way inside the gastrointestinal system of many vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. This study focuses on detection and identification of microplastic ingestion by Echinolittorina snails. The two stations established in Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City, Philippines were observed to be littered with plastics and other materials which may also indicate microplastic pollution. The processes involve visual identification for isolation and utilization of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis for polymer identification. Two isolated materials from the samples were subjected to FTIR testing. The results were compared to the database's accessible spectra and it was found out that only the suspected microfiber sample was identified as a microplastic, where it exhibits a strong spectral similarity to polyethylene. The findings support that microplastics were ingested by the Echinolittorina snails. This would imply that microplastics are indeed present in the area and may cause of stress to the marine life and its environment. It is strongly recommended that additional studies be conducted in terms of microplastic abundance in the area that would become supplementary data for establishing proper waste management. |
| Index terms / Keywords | FT-IR analysis, gastropod, mollusc, pollution, snails |
| URL | www.bioflux.com.ro/docs/2024.499-507.pdf |