Quantification and Categorization of Microplastics within Soft Tissue of Crassostrea virginica in Bayboro Harbor
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Mentor Information
Dr. James Ivey
Description
Microplastics are a form of pollution that are a concern for oysters, as the particles can be ingested when oysters filter-feed. This study examined the abundance of microplastics ingested by Crassostrea virginica oysters sampled from Bayboro Harbor. The soft tissue of sampled oysters was lyophilized, dissolved, and filtered. The lyophilization of the oysters was a new method intended to account for differences in water content between the samples. The filters were then examined under ultraviolet light using microscopes, where the microplastics were categorized and counted. A mean of 115.8 microplastics/g dry flesh was found from the samples. Fibers made up the majority of microplastics found, with a mean proportion of 0.653616. These results indicate that microplastics are of concern to oysters within Bayboro Harbor, but more research is needed to examine oysters in other areas of Tampa Bay. More research in the prevention of microplastic release into the environment and removal of microplastics from the environment is also needed.
Quantification and Categorization of Microplastics within Soft Tissue of Crassostrea virginica in Bayboro Harbor
Microplastics are a form of pollution that are a concern for oysters, as the particles can be ingested when oysters filter-feed. This study examined the abundance of microplastics ingested by Crassostrea virginica oysters sampled from Bayboro Harbor. The soft tissue of sampled oysters was lyophilized, dissolved, and filtered. The lyophilization of the oysters was a new method intended to account for differences in water content between the samples. The filters were then examined under ultraviolet light using microscopes, where the microplastics were categorized and counted. A mean of 115.8 microplastics/g dry flesh was found from the samples. Fibers made up the majority of microplastics found, with a mean proportion of 0.653616. These results indicate that microplastics are of concern to oysters within Bayboro Harbor, but more research is needed to examine oysters in other areas of Tampa Bay. More research in the prevention of microplastic release into the environment and removal of microplastics from the environment is also needed.
Comments
Poster Presentation