Assessing microplastic pollution and its interaction with organic pollutants in green mussels (<i>Perna viridis</i>) from Quang Ninh coastal waters, Viet Nam

Nguyen Duy Thanh; Le Xuan Thanh Thao; Trinh Van Tuyen; Duong Tuan Manh; Do Van Manh

doi:10.15625/2525-2518/21972

Author affiliations

Authors

Nguyen Duy Thanh \(^1\) Electric Power University, 235 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5269-9209
Le Xuan Thanh Thao \(^2\) Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
\(^3\) Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5971-0324
Trinh Van Tuyen \(^2\) Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
\(^3\) Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Duong Tuan Manh \(^2\) Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Do Van Manh \(^2\) Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
\(^3\) Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1975-5035

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/21972

Keywords:

microplastics, mussel, Perna viridis, organic chemicals

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as emerging pollutants due to their inherent chemical additives and their capacity to adsorb surrounding environmental contaminants. Assessing the correlations between MPs and co-occurring pollutants provides a crucial foundation for evaluating broader ecological risks. In this study, samples were collected across ten locations in the coastal area of Quang Ninh to investigate these dynamics. Empirical evidence revealed substantial bioaccumulation in green mussels. The bioconcentration ratio relative to seawater universally exceeded 1 across all sites, while the biota-sediment accumulation factor averaged more than 10, indicating significant uptake from sediments. Furthermore, the pollution load index (PLI) highlighted severe environmental stress: seawater exhibited level IV pollution (32.66 - 54.16), while mussels (5.23 - 11.65, levels I–II) and sediments (3.32 -7.03, level I) also showed elevated risk. However, MPs accumulation in mussel soft tissues exhibited negligible statistical correlations with targeted contaminants: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (r = 0.37), bisphenol A (r = 0.14), and phthalic acid esters (r = -0.22). These discrepancies suggest that tissue specific physiological effects heavily influence contaminant interactions.

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