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Influence of fish length and weight on microplastic accumulation in freshwater fish from the Kahayan river, Indonesia
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (mostly plastic fibers) inside most fish—65%—caught in an Indonesian river, with bigger fish tending to carry larger plastic fragments. This matters because these fish are eaten by local communities, meaning microplastics could be making their way into people's diets, though more research is needed to know exactly how much and how risky this is for our health.
Microplastics are pervasive in freshwater systems and can enter the human food chain via fish consumption. This study examined microplastic ingestion in 75 individuals (23 species) from upstream, midstream, and downstream sections of the Kahayan River (rainy season). Microplastics occurred in 65.2% of fish with a mean of 2.21 items/ind. Fibers dominated (80-90%), and most particles were in the 500-1000 µm and >1000 µm size classes, with polyethylene (PE) was the most common polymer. Correlation analyses showed moderate positive coefficients between fish length/weight and total microplastic counts. However, most correlations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Notably, fish length was significantly associated with fiber particles and particles >1000 µm, suggesting larger individuals tend to retain larger and fibrous particles. Because sampling occurred only during the rainy season and sample sizes per species were limited, results should be interpreted cautiously. These findings highlight the importance of ecological traits in explaining microplastic loads and point to potential human exposure through fish consumption, underscoring the need for targeted monitoring and improved waste management in riverine communities.
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Investigation of microplastic ingestion in commercial fish from Surabaya river, Indonesia
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in commercial fish species from the Surabaya River in Indonesia, a major urban waterway used for both clean water supply and fisheries. They found microplastics present in all fish studied, with variations in abundance linked to feeding behavior and habitat. The findings raise concerns about food safety for communities that rely on river fish as a dietary staple.
First Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Riverine Fish From the Freshwater of Northwest Peninsular Malaysia
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Researchers found microplastics in the guts of multiple fish species from two rivers in northwest Malaysia, with some species averaging nearly 50 microplastic particles per gram of body weight. The dominant particles were fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene — findings that signal widespread contamination of freshwater food sources and raise concerns about human exposure through fish consumption.
Prevalence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species of the river Old Brahmaputra, Bangladesh
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Researchers found microplastics in nearly 59% of edible fish from Bangladesh's Old Brahmaputra river, with polyethylene fibers and pellets dominating, and ingestion rates linked to fish size, feeding behavior, and downstream location.
Microplastic composition in water, sediment, and fish in the Middle Section of the Kahayan River: Implications for the sustainability of floating net cage aquaculture
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Researchers sampled water, sediment, and fish across five stations along Indonesia's Kahayan River, detecting microplastics in all compartments at mean abundances of 3.14 particles/L in water and 3.63 particles per fish — with concentrations highest near intensive aquaculture zones, suggesting active transfer from abiotic to biotic components and risks to food safety.
Contamination of microplastics in Brantas River, East Java, Indonesia and its distribution in gills and digestive tracts of fish Gambusia affinis
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Researchers sampled water, gills, and digestive tracts of fish in Indonesia's Brantas River and found microplastics in all three, with fragments under 0.1 mm making up the majority — demonstrating that river fish are actively ingesting microplastics that then accumulate in their bodies.
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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.