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Microplastic content (MPs) in mussels (Mytilus spp.) from two areas of the north coast of Spain was measured for the first time. Additionally, a comparison of microplastic levels observed in mussels digested with nitric acid and with potassium hydroxide was carried out. The average microplastic concentration in mussels digested with nitric acid was significantly lower than that observed in mussels digested with potassium hydroxide (p < 0.05). The average concentration of microplastics in mussels from the Cantabrian Sea (2.55±2.80 MPs g–1 WW) was slightly higher than that in mussels from the Ria of Vigo (1.59±1.28 MPs g–1 WW). Both in the Ria of Vigo and in the Cantabrian Sea the observed pattern of pollution was fitted to the one expected. Consequently, mussels have been confirmed as suitable sentinel organisms for microplastic pollution., Se midió por primera vez el contenido en microplásticos (MPs) presente en mejillones (Mytilus spp.) procedentes de dos áreas de la costa del norte de España. Además, se llevó a cabo una comparación de los niveles de microplásticos observados en mejillones digeridos con ácido nítrico y con hidróxido de potasio. La concentración promedio de microplásticos que se observó en los mejillones digeridos con ácido nítrico fue significativamente inferior a la observada en los mejillones digeridos con hidróxido de potasio (p

Microplastic content (MPs) in mussels (Mytilus spp.) from two areas of the north coast of Spain was measured for the first time. Additionally, a comparison of microplastic levels observed in mussels digested with nitric acid and with potassium hydroxide was carried out. The average microplastic concentration in mussels digested with nitric acid was significantly lower than that observed in mussels digested with potassium hydroxide (p < 0.05). The average concentration of microplastics in mussels from the Cantabrian Sea (2.55±2.80 MPs g–1 WW) was slightly higher than that in mussels from the Ria of Vigo (1.59±1.28 MPs g–1 WW). Both in the Ria of Vigo and in the Cantabrian Sea the observed pattern of pollution was fitted to the one expected. Consequently, mussels have been confirmed as suitable sentinel organisms for microplastic pollution. Se midió por primera vez el contenido en microplásticos (MPs) presente en mejillones (Mytilus spp.) procedentes de dos áreas de la costa del norte de España. Además, se llevó a cabo una comparación de los niveles de microplásticos observados en mejillones digeridos con ácido nítrico y con hidróxido de potasio. La concentración promedio de microplásticos que se observó en los mejillones digeridos con ácido nítrico fue significativamente inferior a la observada en los mejillones digeridos con hidróxido de potasio (p

A total of 175 specimens of mussels, Mytilus chilensis (Mytilidae), and 56 specimens of clams, Gari solida (Psammobiidae), were collected in natural beds and culture sites of southern Chile. Juvenile mussel specimens (3 cm of maximum length) were free of parasites and diseases, whilst the commercial sized populations was parasitized by intracellular inclusions of bacteria-like organisms in the digestive gland epithelium and in the gills, by ciliates in the gills, turbellarians similar to Paravortex (Rhabocoela) in the intestine lumen and copepods attached to the gills. In addition, the disseminated neoplasia disease was also present although in low prevalences. In the clam, G. solida, prokariotic inclusions were found in the digestive gland epithelium and bacteria-like organisms in the gills, often encapsulated by haemocytes; oocysts containing up to 8 sporozoites similar to Nematopsis (Apicomplexa) in the connective tissue, causing haemocytic infiltration when the intensity of infection was high; ciliates belonging to two different species (one of them similar to Trichodina) inhabiting the gills; and a turbellarian similar to Paravortex in the lumen of digestive system without apparent host reaction. The populations of the bivalve species here studied were devoid of serious pathogens. RESUMEN. Un total de 175 choritos, Mytilus chilensis (Mytilidae), y 56 almejas, Gari solida (Psammobiidae), fueron recolectados en bancos naturales y sitios de cultivo en el sur de Chile. Los choritos de hasta 3 cm de longitud máxima estaban libres de parásitos y enfermedades, mientras que los especímenes de tamaño comercial estaban parasitados por inclusiones intracelulares de organismos similares a bacterias en los epitelios de la glándula digestiva y de la branquia; ciliados en las branquias; turbelarios similares a Paravortex (Rhabocoela) en el lumen del intestino y copépodos anclados en las branquias. Además, la enfermedad neoplasia diseminada estuvo presente, aunque en bajas prevalencias. En G. solida, se encontraron organismos procariotas en el epitelio de la glándula digestiva y organismos similares a bacterias en la branquia, frecuentemente encapsulados por hemocitos; ooquistes conteniendo hasta 8 esporozoítos similares a Nematopsis (Apicomplexa) se hallaron en el tejido conectivo, causando infiltración hemocítica cuando la intensidad de infección fue alta; ciliados pertenecientes a dos especies diferentes (una de ellas similar a Trichodina) habitando las branquias y un turbelario similar a Paravortex en el lumen del sistema digestivo, sin causar reacción aparente en el hospedador. Las poblaciones de bivalvos estudiadas estaban libres de patógenos severos. Fil: Cremonte, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Puebla, Claudia. Universidad Arturo Prat. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología; Chile Fil: Tilleria, Jorge. Fundación Chinquihue; Chile Fil: Videla, Viviana. Fundación Chinquihue; Chile