Overview
- The study examined tail muscle from 16 retail-sourced lobsters caught off Nova Scotia and detected microplastics in all samples.
- Concentrations averaged six to seven particles per gram of meat, with an average particle size of about 3.65 micrometres.
- Identified materials included polyester clothing fibres and polyethylene vinyl acetate common to detergent pods, with PVA reported as the primary plastic.
- Lobsters were collected from four commercial fishing areas, and the authors describe the species as bioindicators of coastal plastic contamination.
- Researchers cite likely inputs from fishing gear and wastewater-borne microfibres and, in a paper published in Regional Studies in Marine Science, call for upstream controls as health impacts remain uncertain.