Analysis of microplastic (MP) occurrence in commercially relevant species is a prerequisite for food risk assessment. Using a standardized methodology, we aimed to investigate MP contamination in point-of-sale clams, mussels, and Crustacea shellfish collected from various markets (Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, and South Korea). An improved digestion protocol yielded ≥ 99.8% digestion efficiency for all species analyzed. In a total of 190 samples analyzed individually by microFTIR, MPs were identified in 43.68% of the samples with less than 1 MP/individual average (0–4 MP/individual, 0–1.35 MPs/g tissue). Significant differences between species were observed when considering samples contaminated with MPs, with Crustacea shellfish having the lowest MPs/g of edible tissue. Polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene were dominant MPs found in clams and mussels, while polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride were the most abundant in Crustacea shellfish. Our data do not support the bioaccumulation or biomagnification of MPs with the size of the animal in the shellfish group. MP contamination is more strongly associated with the type of shellfish than with the geographical origin of the market.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants and have emerged as a growing global concern. In soil ecosystems, MPs frequently coexist with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), yet their combined effects on soil–plant interactions and phytoremediation processes remain insufficiently explored. This field-based study investigated the occurrence of MPs in urban soils from four Serbian cities and assessed their influence on the uptake of PTEs - copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and strontium (Sr) - by Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. MPs were extracted from soil using an optimized density separation method, while total (aqua regia) and phytoavailable (EDTA-extractable) fractions of PTEs were quantified in both soils and plant tissues. Maximum MPs abundance was recorded in Bor — 500 ± 100 MPs kg-1.The highest total concentrations of Cu (516.14 µg g⁻¹), Mn (553.46 µg g⁻¹), and Sr (173.69 µg g⁻¹) were detected in soils from Bor. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated moderate to heavy contamination levels. CuEDTA accounted for UP to 50.7% of CuAR, MnEDTA for 34.4% of MnAR, and SrEDTA 27.3% of SrAR. After the uptake, C. bursa-pastoris primarily translocated the elements to the aerial parts, indicating shoot accumulation as the dominant strategy. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct clustering of samples by city, while Spearman correlation analysis highlighted significant associations between MPs and PTEs mobility in the soil-plant system. Strongest correlations were found between MPs phytoavailable Cu fraction (ρ =+0.49) and Cu content in shoots (ρ =+0.56). The highest BCF values were determined for Sr, ranging from 2,40 (SM) to 5,41 (BO). PTEs were mainly transferred to the shoots. TF range for Cu was 0.54 (BO) – 1.48 (VR), 0,68 (BO) to 1,42 (VR) for Mn, and 0,76 (BO) to 1,34 (VR) for Sr. Strong correlations among MPs abundance and Cu mobility and accumulation in shoots (ρ = +0.56), and Sr bioaccumulation potential (BCF up to 5.41), highlight the role of MPs in modifying element transfer within urban soil–plant systems and consequent phytoremediation potential.

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik (C. bursa-pastoris) is an underexplored medicinal herb and bioindicator of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Its broad traditional utilization combined with its high capacity for PTE accumulation may endanger human health. Herein, we investigated the concentrations and mobility of PTEs (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn) in the urban soil–C. bursa-pastoris system and comprehensively assessed potential health risks associated with exposure to contaminated soils, plant and herbal extracts. Cu, Zn, Sr, and Mn were the most abundant in soils and predominantly phytoavailable. The calculated values of the geo-accumulation index (I_geo) indicated moderate to heavy Cu, Zn, and Sr contamination in the soil. C. bursa-pastoris demonstrated two strategies for PTEs—the exclusion of Ba, Cr, Mn, and Sr, and the accumulation of Cu, Ni, Co, and Fe. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) classified samples from four cities based on the PTE levels in soils, plants, and herbal extracts. Although plant tissues contained elevated levels of PTEs, the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) demonstrated no significant health risks from consuming C. bursa-pastoris and its extracts. The obtained results indicated the higher sensitivity of children to the hazardous effects of PTEs compared to adults. Extensive risk assessments of polluted soils and inhabiting plants are crucial in PTE monitoring. This study underscored its importance and delivered new insights into the contamination of medicinal herbs, aiming to contribute to implementing safety policies in public health protection.