The role of organisms' size in microplastic pollution monitoring: Insights from Mytilaster lineatus and Amphibalanusimprovisus.

Marine organisms can serve as valuable bioindicators, providing insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments. While barnacles and mussels have shown promise as bioindicators of MP pollution in coastal environments, recent studies have questioned the efficacy of bivalves in this role. To address this, our research investigated the suitability of Mytilaster lineatus and Amphibalanus improvisus as biomonitors of MP pollution in the Caspian Sea through a comprehensive survey of these filter-feeding organisms.