First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea (original) (raw)
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Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2022
The manufacturing of plastics has increased rapidly since 1950, with annual plastic production reaching 359 million tons in 2018 (PlasticEurope, 2019). It is estimated that 4.8-12.7 million tons of plastic end up in marine ecosystems every year (Jambeck et al., 2015). A total of 611 studies conducted at 4358 locations across the globe, as of September 2019, have revealed that 76.9% of marine litter consists of plastics (Tekman et al., 2019). It is further estimated that 92% of marine plastic pollution is in the form of microplastics (MPs) (Eriksen et al., 2014). Generally, plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm are considered MPs (Galgani et al., 2013; GESAMP, 2019). This high quantity of MPs in the sea poses a significant threat to marine life. Marine life is affected by all kinds of plastic pollution, in addition to MPs. Currently, it is estimated that 2249 marine animals face threats from plastic pollution. The types of marine life affected most by marine litter include fish (21.93%), seabirds (18.43%), crustaceans and arthropods (11.68%), mollusks (7.79%), and marine mammals (6.28%) (Tekman et al., 2019). Multiple researchers have reported that MPs in the sea affect many marine species (fish, mussels, seagulls, and sea scallops) (Tekman et al., 2019). The types of effects that plastics have on these animals are manifold: the fouling of litter and its use as a habitat (38.7%), ingestion (32.6%), and entanglement (23.87%) (Tekman et al., 2019). Among these effects, ingestion poses a particularly serious risk to marine life, given the small size of MPs. The effects of these risks can be classified into 2 groups: physical and chemical (Markic et al., 2019). Physical effects ultimately depend on the size of MPs ingested and entanglement (Rist et al., 2018; Tunçer et al., 2019), whereas chemical effects can arise via additives or environmental pollutants absorbed by particles released or leached in the organism (Rist et al., 2018). One of the primary physical effects of MPs is the blockage of the digestive tract by relatively larger particles (Walkinshaw et al., 2020). In addition, nano-and microscale particles can be absorbed in the intestines and accumulate in different organs (Ivleva et al., 2017). Chemical effects of MPs are more widespread when compared to the physical effects. Plastics are materials that can be formed in several ways Abstract: Plastics have become an inseparable part of modern life as a consequence of their versatility, low cost, durability, and lightweight. In this study, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the stomachs and digestive tracts of 243 individuals of leaping mullet (Chelon saliens (Risso, 1810)), red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758), surmullet (Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758), Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868)), and sand steenbras (Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758)), collected along the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey was examined microscopically and through µ-Raman analysis. A total of 283 MP particles were extracted. Among the examined species, the average MP concentration was 1.1 MP per fish (MPs fish-1). The number of MPs detected was 2.5 MPs fish-1 for leaping mullet, 1.1 MPs fish-1 for red mullet, 0.6 MPs fish-1 for sand steenbras, and 0.4 MPs fish-1 for Mediterranean horse mackerel and surmullet. The size of the MPs ranged from 0.028 to 4.909 mm. To determine the polymer types of the MPs, a μ-Raman analysis was conducted. The most frequently detected polymers were polypropylene (26%), polyethylene (21.9%), polyethylene terephthalate/polyester (8.2%), and cellulose (7.5%). The results of this study showed that MP pollution represents an emerging threat to the fish of Turkish marine waters.
Springer water, 2020
The manufacturing of plastics has increased rapidly since 1950, with annual plastic production reaching 359 million tons in 2018 (PlasticEurope, 2019). It is estimated that 4.8-12.7 million tons of plastic end up in marine ecosystems every year (Jambeck et al., 2015). A total of 611 studies conducted at 4358 locations across the globe, as of September 2019, have revealed that 76.9% of marine litter consists of plastics (Tekman et al., 2019). It is further estimated that 92% of marine plastic pollution is in the form of microplastics (MPs) (Eriksen et al., 2014). Generally, plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm are considered MPs (Galgani et al., 2013; GESAMP, 2019). This high quantity of MPs in the sea poses a significant threat to marine life. Marine life is affected by all kinds of plastic pollution, in addition to MPs. Currently, it is estimated that 2249 marine animals face threats from plastic pollution. The types of marine life affected most by marine litter include fish (21.93%), seabirds (18.43%), crustaceans and arthropods (11.68%), mollusks (7.79%), and marine mammals (6.28%) (Tekman et al., 2019). Multiple researchers have reported that MPs in the sea affect many marine species (fish, mussels, seagulls, and sea scallops) (Tekman et al., 2019). The types of effects that plastics have on these animals are manifold: the fouling of litter and its use as a habitat (38.7%), ingestion (32.6%), and entanglement (23.87%) (Tekman et al., 2019). Among these effects, ingestion poses a particularly serious risk to marine life, given the small size of MPs. The effects of these risks can be classified into 2 groups: physical and chemical (Markic et al., 2019). Physical effects ultimately depend on the size of MPs ingested and entanglement (Rist et al., 2018; Tunçer et al., 2019), whereas chemical effects can arise via additives or environmental pollutants absorbed by particles released or leached in the organism (Rist et al., 2018). One of the primary physical effects of MPs is the blockage of the digestive tract by relatively larger particles (Walkinshaw et al., 2020). In addition, nano-and microscale particles can be absorbed in the intestines and accumulate in different organs (Ivleva et al., 2017). Chemical effects of MPs are more widespread when compared to the physical effects. Plastics are materials that can be formed in several ways Abstract: Plastics have become an inseparable part of modern life as a consequence of their versatility, low cost, durability, and lightweight. In this study, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the stomachs and digestive tracts of 243 individuals of leaping mullet (Chelon saliens (Risso, 1810)), red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758), surmullet (Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758), Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868)), and sand steenbras (Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758)), collected along the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey was examined microscopically and through µ-Raman analysis. A total of 283 MP particles were extracted. Among the examined species, the average MP concentration was 1.1 MP per fish (MPs fish-1). The number of MPs detected was 2.5 MPs fish-1 for leaping mullet, 1.1 MPs fish-1 for red mullet, 0.6 MPs fish-1 for sand steenbras, and 0.4 MPs fish-1 for Mediterranean horse mackerel and surmullet. The size of the MPs ranged from 0.028 to 4.909 mm. To determine the polymer types of the MPs, a μ-Raman analysis was conducted. The most frequently detected polymers were polypropylene (26%), polyethylene (21.9%), polyethylene terephthalate/polyester (8.2%), and cellulose (7.5%). The results of this study showed that MP pollution represents an emerging threat to the fish of Turkish marine waters.
Plastic debris ingested by deep-water fish of the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 2013
ABSTRACT Debris has been recognized as a global environmental problem including within deep habitats. From 26 fish species (1504 specimens) caught in the Eastern Ionian Sea during deep-water long-line surveys, plastic debris was found in 24 individuals of Galeus melastomus (3.2%) and single individuals of Pteroplatytrygon violacea, Squalus blainville, Etmopterus spinax, and Pagellus bogaraveo. The occurrence of debris among their food was infrequent. Ingested debris included primarily plastics (86.5%) and to a lesser extent pieces of metal and wood. Among ingested plastics, fragments of hard plastic material constituted the highest proportion (56.0%), followed by plastic bag fragments (22.0%), fragments of fishing gears (19.0%) and textile fibers (3.0%). Among the species with ingested debris, G. melastomus swallowed all debris categories; P. violacea and S. blainville ingested plastic bag fragments, whereas pieces of hard plastics were found in E. spinax and P. bogaraveo.
Ingestion of microplastics by pelagic fish from the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast
Environmental Pollution, 2020
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Determining suitable fish to monitor plastic ingestion trends in the Mediterranean Sea
Environmental Pollution, 2019
The presence of marine litter is a complex, yet persistent, threat to the health and biodiversity of the marine environment, and plastic is the most abundant, and ubiquitous type of marine litter. To monitor the level of plastic waste in an area, and the prospect of it entering the food chain, bioindicator species are used extensively throughout Northern European Seas, however due to their distribution ranges many are not applicable to the Mediterranean Sea. Guidance published for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive suggests that the contents of fish stomachs may be analyzed to determine trends of marine plastic ingestion. In order to equate transnational trends in marine plastic ingestion, the use of standardized fish species that widely occur throughout the basin is favoured, however for the Mediterranean Sea, specific species are not listed. Here we propose a methodology to assess how effective Mediterranean fish species, that are known to have ingested marine plastic, are as bioindicators. A new Bioindicator Index (BI) was established by incorporating several parameters considered important for bioindicators. These parameters included species distribution throughout the Mediterranean basin, several life history traits, the commercial value of each species, and the occurrence of marine litter in their gut contents. By collecting existing data for Mediterranean fish, ranked scores were assigned to each trait and an average value (BI value) was calculated for each species. Based on their habitat preferences, Engraulis encrasicolus (pelagic), Boops boops (benthopelagic), three species of Myctophidae (Hygophum benoiti, Myctophum punctatum and Electrona risso) (mesopelagic), Mullus barbatus barbartus (demersal) and Chelidonichthys lucerna (benthic), were identified as currently, the most suitable fish for monitoring the ingestion of marine plastics throughout the Mediterranean basin. The use of standardized indicator species will ensure coherence in the reporting of marine litter ingestion trends throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
A Meta-Analysis of the Characterisations of Plastic Ingested by Fish Globally
Toxics
Plastic contamination in the environment is common but the characterisation of plastic ingested by fish in different environments is lacking. Hence, a meta-analysis was conducted to identify the prevalence of plastic ingested by fish globally. Based on a qualitative analysis of plastic size, it was determined that small microplastics (<1 mm) are predominantly ingested by fish globally. Furthermore, our meta-analysis revealed that plastic fibres (70.6%) and fragments (19.3%) were the most prevalent plastic components ingested by fish, while blue (24.2%) and black (18.0%) coloured plastic were the most abundant. Polyethylene (15.7%) and polyester (11.6%) were the most abundant polymers. Mixed-effect models were employed to identify the effects of the moderators (sampling environment, plastic size, digestive organs examined, and sampling continents) on the prevalence of plastic shape, colour, and polymer type. Among the moderators, only the sampling environment and continent contrib...
Microplastics in fishes of commercial and ecological importance from the Western Arabian Gulf
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2020
Microplastic particles (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tracts of nine fish species of commercial importance from different habitats (coastal, pelagic, and reef-associated) in the Saudi EEZ of the Arabian Gulf were quantified and classified. A total of eight MPs were retrieved from a total of 140 individual fish examined, with an average of 0.057 ± 0.019 microplastic items per fish (excluding possible plastic fibers). On average, 5.71%, of the fish dissected contained MPs, ranging from 5 to 15% of individual fish examined containing MPs among species (Siganus canaliculatus and Rastrelliger kanagurta, respectively). Ingested plastic consisted primarily of fishing threads (1.04 ± 0.06 mm), followed by fragments (1.16 ± 0.11 mm). It is likely that the fibers, originated from the fisheries, recreational boating, laundry, domestic wastewater, and other human activities, which is also widespread and abundant (found in 58.58% of the fish studied). Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were identified as the most abundant polymers ingested by the fishes. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the presence of microplastic in fish depending on their habitat. The prevalence of MPs is relatively low compared to those in other regions, despite the massive industrialization of the Saudi Arabian Gulf.
Brazilian journal of biology , 2023
Around the globe, plastic has been entering the aquatic system and is ingested by organisms. Identification, optimal digestion method, and characterization of the polymers to trace sources are of growing importance. Hence, the present work investigated microplastics accumulation, digestion protocol efficiency, and characterization of polymers with FTIR analysis in the guts of five fishes (Lethrinus nebulosus, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Acanthopagrus arabicus, Otolithes ruber, and Euryglossa orientalis) from the Karachi coastal area, Arabian Sea. A total of 1154 microplastics (MPs) were ingested by 29 out of 33 fish species (87%). The highest average MP/fish was recorded in Otolithes ruber (54) and the lowest in Rastrelliger kanagurta (19.42). Microfibers were the most abundant shape with the highest numbers (35.52%) as compared to the rest of the MPs identified. Transparent microfibers were recorded as the highest in numbers followed by red, black, blue, and green. In this study, KOH with different concentrations and exposure times along with oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide was tested (Protocols 3 and 4). Results showed these bases were highly efficient in obtaining optimal digestion of the samples. FTIR analysis confirmed that the majority of the polymers found in the fish guts were polyethylene and polypropylene. This study validated for the first time the presence of these polymers of plastic in marine fish from Pakistan.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2013
Microplastics are present in marine habitats worldwide and laboratory studies show this material can be ingested, yet data on abundance in natural populations is limited. This study documents microplastics in 10 species of fish from the English Channel. 504 Fish were examined and plastics found in the gastrointestinal tracts of 36.5%. All five pelagic species and all five demersal species had ingested plastic. Of the 184 fish that had ingested plastic the average number of pieces per fish was 1.90 ± 0.10. A total of 351 pieces of plastic were identified using FT-IR Spectroscopy; polyamide (35.6%) and the semi-synthetic cellulosic material, rayon (57.8%) were most common. There was no significant difference between the abundance of plastic ingested by pelagic and demersal fish. Hence, microplastic ingestion appears to be common, in relatively small quantities, across a range of fish species irrespective of feeding habitat. Further work is needed to establish the potential consequences.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2013
To quantify the occurrence of ingested plastic in fish species caught at different geographical positions in the North Sea, and to test whether the fish condition is affected by ingestion of plastics, 1203 individual fish of seven common North Sea species were investigated: herring, gray gurnard, whiting, horse mackerel, haddock, atlantic mackerel, and cod. Plastic particles were found in 2.6% of the examined fish and in five of the seven species. No plastics were found in gray gurnard and mackerel. In most cases, only one particle was found per fish, ranging in size from 0.04 to 4.8 mm. Only particles larger than 0.2 mm, being the diameter of the sieve used, were considered for the data analyses, resulting in a median particle size of 0.8 mm. The frequency of fish with plastic was significantly higher (5.4%) in the southern North Sea, than in the northern North Sea above 55°N (1.2%). The highest frequency (>33%) was found in cod from the English Channel. In addition, small fibers were initially detected in most of the samples, but their abundance sharply decreased when working under special clean air conditions. Therefore, these fibers were considered to be artifacts related to air born contamination and were excluded from the analyses. No relationship was found between the condition factor (size−weight relationship) of the fish and the presence of ingested plastic particles.