Ingestion of microplastics by pelagic fish from the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast (original) (raw)
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Food Control
We examined the gastro-intestinal tracts (guts) of 160 fish species obtained from Nigerian coastal waters for microplastics and estimated annual microplastic intake by adult human population in the region from the fish species. A total of 5744 microplastics were recovered from the fish species analyzed with an average of 39.65 ± 5.67 items/individual. Microbeads (43%) occurred in all guts assessed, followed by fragments (27%), burnt film (14%), thread (9%), fibers (4%), and pellets (3%). Most microplastics recovered were below 1000 μm with the least size being 85 μm. Based on the size classes estimated for this study, we argue based on literature that close to 15% (i.e., >100 μm) of the microplastics in the guts studied have the potential to translocate gut barriers of the fish species into muscles, where they get ingested by humans, and thereon get translocated to other human organ tissues. The estimated annual intake of microplastics from the consumption of whole fish by the adult population followed the trend; M. cephalus (178,220) > I. Africana (131,670) > P. senegalensis (115,710) > P. jubelini (109,060) > S. maderensis (101,080) > G. decadactylus (101,346) > S. melanotheron (65,170). Estimated annual intakes were generally higher for fish species with broad habitat and feeding preferences.
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.
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.
Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment
Marine pollution bulletin, 2018
Microplastic ingestion has been reported for several marine species, but the level of contamination in transitional systems and associated biota is less known. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of microplastic ingestion in three commercial fish species: the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) and the flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the Mondego estuary (Portugal). Microplastics were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract of 120 individuals by visual inspection and digestion solution. A total of 157 particles were extracted from 38% of total fish (96% fibers), with 1.67 ± 0.27 (SD) microplastics per fish. Significantly higher amount of ingested microplastics was recorded for D. vulgaris (73%). The dominant polymers identified by μ-FTIR were polyester, polypropylene and rayon (semi-synthetic fiber). It is reported for the first time the presence of this pollutant in fish populations from the Mondego estuary raising concerns on their ...
Occurrence of microplastics in gastrointestinal tract of fish from the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana
Marine Pollution Bulletin
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.
Microplastic in the gastrointestinal tract of fishes along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast
Marine pollution bulletin, 2018
This study assesses the presence of microplastic litter in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract of 26 commercial and non-commercial fish species from four difference habitats sampled along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea. A total of 178 individual were examined for microplastics. In total, 26 microplastic fragments were found. Of these, 16 being films (61.5%) and 10 being fishing thread (38.5%). FTIR analysis revealed that the most abundant polymers were polypropylene and polyethylene. The grouper (Epinephelus spp.) sampled at Jazan registered the highest number of ingested microplastics. This fish species is benthic and feeds on benthic invertebrates. Although differences in the abundance of microplastic ingestion among species were not statistically significant, a significant change was observed when the level of ingestion of microplastics particles was compared among the habitats. The higher abundance of microplastics particles may be related to the habitats of fish ...
Brazilian Journal of Biology
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 w...
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.
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.
Water
Microplastics (MPs) have received increasing attention in the last decade and are now considered among the most concerning emerging pollutants in natural environments. Here, the current knowledge on microplastic ingestion by wild freshwater fish is reviewed with a focus on the identification of possible factors leading to the ingestion of MPs and the consequences on fish health. Within the literature, 257 species of freshwater fishes from 32 countries have been documented to ingest MPs. MPs ingestion was found to increase with rising level of urbanization, although a direct correlation with MPs concentration in the surrounding water has not been identified. MPs ingestion was detected in all the published articles, with MPs presence in more than 50% of the specimens analyzed in one study out of two. Together with the digestive tract, MPs were also found in the gills, and there is evidence that MPs can translocate to different tissues of the organism. Strong evidence, therefore, exist...