Microplastic Accumulation in Solen dactylus Cosel, 1989 (Bivalvia: Solenidae) along the Indus Delta, Pakistan

This study provides the data about the microplastics contamination in commercially important Solen dactylus collected from the Waddi Khuddi Creek, Indus Delta, Pakistan, from December 2023 to February 2024. A total of 251 specimens of Solen dactylus were collected. Upon shell removal, examination of their dissolved meat uncovered the presence of 1602 microplastic particles, predominantly composed of fibers (33%). This suggested that fibers were possibly originated from clothing that were dumped into the environment, finally discharged with domestic sewage, and found its way in the Indus Delta. The average length of fibers in the present study was 1.2 ± 0.03 mm, having predominantly pink color (34%). An analysis carried out through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that polystyrene (PS) was the most abundant polymer (43%).