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Microplastics in deep-sea fish
Summary
This study assessed the immunotoxic effects of polystyrene microplastics in exposed mice, finding disruption of cytokine signaling and altered immune cell populations after sub-chronic dietary exposure. The results raise concerns that chronic low-level microplastic ingestion may impair immune function and increase susceptibility to infection or autoimmune conditions.
Microplastics have become a significant problem in marine ecosystems, posing a serious threat to the biodiversity and stability of these environments. This bachelor's thesis focuses on investigating the presence of microplastics in the digestive tracts of deep-sea fish in the Indian Ocean. These fish represent interesting model organisms that can aid in understanding the distribution of microplastics in the marine water column. The introductory part of the paper summarizes the existing knowledge on microplastics, their occurrence, methods of analysis and the presence of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Particular attention is paid to deep- sea fishes, whose role in marine ecosystems is crucial. In the experimental part, detailed analyses of fish digestive tract samples were performed to detect and identify microplastics. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics in the digestive tracts of deep-sea fish, and various types of polymers were identified, including polystyrene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride and polyester. This undergraduate thesis is the first study ever to demonstrate that microplastics are found in deep- sea fish in the western Indian Ocean. The conclusions of this thesis underscore the urgency of the situation regarding contamination of the...