| Popis: |
The objectives of this research were to examine the levels of microplastics contamination in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) and to examine the impact microplastics have upon its health. In addition to human health, microplastics can provide a cost to aquaculture, by potentially impacting the growth rates of the mussels. The samples were selected from both the wild (Zvončac bay, N=20) and commercially raised populations (Marina bay, N=20) to compare levels of microplastics and indices of metabolic fitness. Activities of two enzymes involved in metabolic energy production, citrate synthase and lactic dehydrogenase were examined. The analysis showed multiple types of microplastics in mussels, including fragments (1, 02 MP/g in farmed and 2, 2 MP/g in wild) and pellets (0, 37 MP/g in farmed and 0.35 MP/g in wild). The results showed that there was no significant difference between the wild and farmed mussels in enzyme activities. More comprehensive research should be conducted on microplastics effect on mussel metabolic health. |
