Microplastics Ingestion by Scapharca cornea at Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Filter feeding bivalves are among the keystone species in marine environment that maintains or improves water quality and nutrients cycling between the water column and bottom dwelling organsims. Ingestion of microplastics by these organisms provides a possible step for the transfer of pollutants and plastics additives. Ingestion of microplastics in Scapharca cornea were determined and quantified at its natural habitat in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 120 wild S. cornea bivalves were handpicked from three stations. Microplastics were extracted by alkali digestion (10 M of NaOH) and then identified visually according to their physical characteristics: shape, colour size and density. Most of the microplastics particles present were filaments. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis of the microplastics showed the presence of strong peaks associated with polyethylene and polyamide.