RT Journal Article T1 Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in bivalve mollusks and marine sediments A1 Polo Montero, David A1 Lois Alvedro, Marta A1 Fernández Núñez, María Teresa A1 López Romalde, Jesús K1 SARS-CoV-2 K1 COVID-19 K1 Wastewater K1 Bivalve mollusks K1 Sediments K1 Marine environment AB The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater pose the question of whether this new pandemic virus could be released into watercourses and potentially continue to finally reach coastal waters. In this study, we employed two bivalve molluscan species from the genus Ruditapes as sentinel organisms to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 signals in the marine coastal environment. Estuarine sediments from the natural clam banks were also analyzed. Viral RNA was detected by RT-qPCR, targeting IP4, E and N1 genomic regions. Positive samples were also subjected to a PMAxx-triton viability RT-qPCR assay in order to discriminate between intact and altered capsids, obtaining indirect information about the viability of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 RNA traces were detected in 9/12 clam samples by RT-qPCR, from which 4 were positive for two different target regions. Viral quantification ranged from