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Quantifying microplastic pollution in marine organisms from a coastal lagoon: an ecological perspective using laser direct infrared microscopy
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Scientists used a highly sensitive laser technique to detect tiny plastic particles (mostly smaller than a grain of sand) in fish from a Spanish coastal lagoon, finding them in the fish's gut, liver, and even muscle tissue—the part we actually eat. In lab tests, one type of plastic (polyamide, commonly used in textiles and fishing gear) reduced the survival of fish cells, suggesting these particles aren't just present in seafood but could potentially cause harm. While more research is needed to know exactly what this means for human health, the findings add to growing evidence that microplastics are working their way into the
Fish is widely recognized as a valuable source of high-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential micronutrients. However, these nutritional benefits are increasingly compromised by marine pollution, particularly plastics and microplastics (MPs), particles smaller than 5 mm that enter the food chain after ingestion by marine organisms. These emerging pollutants represent a growing threat to both marine ecosystems and human health. In this study, laser direct infrared microscopy (LDIR) was used, an innovative technique based on a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser that enables precise and sensitive characterization of MPs. Samples from multiple species inhabiting the Mar Menor lagoon (Spain) were analysed, including muscle tissue, liver, and gastrointestinal contents. The muscle and liver samples were treated using acid digestion, while the gut contents were processed using oxidative digestion combined with density flotation. The results showed a predominance of particles between 50 and 100 μm (over 70%), primarily rounded in morphology. Polyethylene was the most frequently detected polymer, representing more than 45% of particles in all the samples. Statistical analyses demonstrated trend toward MP accumulation in gut contents, with no significant differences among marine species. Additionally, a cytotoxicity assay using marine fish cells (SAF-1 cell line) revealed a decrease in cell viability in response to polyamide MP, highlighting the urgent need for monitoring their environmental and food safety implications.
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Direct laser infrared microscopy for the monitoring of microplastics in Holothuria poli and sediments of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon
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Researchers used a novel laser direct infrared microscopy technique to detect and characterize microplastics in sea cucumbers and sediments from the Mar Menor lagoon in Spain. They confirmed the presence of microplastics, primarily polyamide and polyethylene, in the gut content, outer tissue, and surrounding sediment of the deposit-feeding organisms. The method offers high sensitivity for rapid chemical identification of microplastic particles in complex biological and environmental samples.
Leveraging the Advanced Capability of Laser Direct Infrared Imaging (LDIR): A Preliminary Analysis of Microplastics in Edible Tissue of Malaysian Fish
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Scientists used a new high-tech scanning method to check for microplastics in the actual meat of fish (not just the guts) sold in Malaysia, and found that bottom-dwelling fish had far more plastic particles in their edible flesh than open-water fish. This matters because it means the fish fillet you eat may contain more plastic than expected depending on where and how the fish lives—though this was a small preliminary study, so larger research is still needed to understand what this means for your health.
Microplastic contamination in commercial goldfish (Carassius auratus) of Yuehai Lake via Laser Direct Infrared Imaging (LDIR)
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Researchers used Laser Direct Infrared Imaging to detect microplastics across three tissue types in goldfish from an inland Chinese lake, finding an average of 43 particles per fish — with gills showing the highest contamination — and identifying 22 polymer types dominated by PE, PET, and PVC fibers under 100 µm.
Additives, plasticizers, small microplastics (<100 μm), and other microlitter components in the gastrointestinal tract of commercial teleost fish: Method of extraction, purification, quantification, and characterization using Micro-FTIR
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Researchers developed a Micro-FTIR extraction and identification method for small microplastics (under 100 µm) and plastic additives in the gastrointestinal tracts of five commercial Mediterranean fish species, finding species-specific contamination patterns with anchovies and sardines showing the highest microplastic burdens.
Microplastics FTIR characterisation and distribution in the water column and digestive tracts of small pelagic fish in the Gulf of Lions
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Researchers found microplastics in 93% of water column samples and in 12% of sardines and 11% of anchovies sampled from the Gulf of Lions in the NW Mediterranean Sea, characterizing plastic composition by FTIR and finding similar debris types in both water and fish digestive tracts.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.