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Baseline Assessment of Microplastic Ingestion in the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra, Jaeger 1833 from Pujada Bay, Philippines
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (mostly synthetic rubber fibers) inside nearly 4 in 10 sea cucumbers tested in a bay in the Philippines — a species commonly harvested for food in Southeast Asia. While this study didn't test human health effects directly, it's a reminder that plastic pollution is working its way into seafood, which is one reason researchers are increasingly studying how microplastics might affect people who eat marine animals regularly.
Microplastics are major pollutants in marine ecosystems and pose threats to benthic organisms such as sea cucumbers. This study investigated the occurrence, morphotypes, colors, polymer types, and spatial variation of microplastics ingested by Holothuria scabra in selected sites of Pujada Bay. A total of 90 individuals were examined, with 35 (38.88%) containing microplastics. Thirty-six microplastic particles were recovered, averaging 0.4 particles per individual. Fibers were the dominant morphotype (75%), while blue particles were the most common color (61.11%). FTIR analysis identified synthetic rubber as the most abundant polymer type. The findings provide baseline information on microplastic contamination in H. scabra and highlight its potential as a bioindicator of sediment-associated microplastic pollution in Pujada Bay.
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Microplastic (MP) contamination in sea cucumbers (Class: Holothuroidea): a review of abundances, distribution, polymer characteristics, and human health implications.
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Sea cucumbers, a popular seafood in many parts of the world, are absorbing tiny plastic particles called microplastics from ocean sediment as they feed—this review pulled together findings from 41 studies to show just how widespread the problem is. The plastics found were mostly tiny fibers and fragments from common materials like polyethylene (used in bags and bottles), and eating contaminated sea cucumbers could be a hidden way these plastics end up in our diets. While scientists don't yet know exactly how much this affects human health, the findings suggest we need better monitoring of seafood for microplastic contamination.
Evaluation of Microplastics Ingested by Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra from Pulau Jambongan, Sabah
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Researchers found 7,403 microplastic particles in the digestive tracts of 30 sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) collected from a Malaysian island, with 99% being fibers and the dominant polymer being polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The high contamination level indicates significant marine pollution in the region and shows that bottom-dwelling sea cucumbers — which process large volumes of sediment — are especially exposed to microplastic accumulation. This is relevant to seafood safety since sea cucumbers are commercially harvested for human consumption.
Organ-specific accumulation of microplastics in Holothuria atra Jaeger, 1833 (Holothuriidae) from Kepulauan Seribu, Indonesia
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Scientists found microplastic pollution—mostly tiny plastic fragments from things like packaging and fishing gear—inside sea cucumbers collected from Indonesian coastal waters, with the highest amounts building up in their digestive systems. Since sea cucumbers are eaten in some cuisines and play a role in ocean food chains, this finding is a reminder that plastic pollution is working its way into seafood, which matters for anyone concerned about what ends up on their plate. The researchers suggest these creatures could even be used as a helpful "early warning system" for tracking plastic pollution in tropical oceans.
Plastic litter transfer from sediments towards marine trophic webs: A case study on holothurians
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Sea cucumbers collected from the seafloor around a Sicilian island were found to contain microplastics in their bodies, having ingested them while feeding on sediment. Since sea cucumbers are consumed as food in many cultures, this represents a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in humans.
Microplastics abundance in sea cucumber Holothuria scabra from Pulau Malawali, Sabah, Malaysia
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance in sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) from Pulau Malawali in Sabah, Malaysia, finding microplastic particles in all examined specimens. Fibres were the dominant particle type, and concentrations were similar to those reported for sea cucumbers in other tropical regions, confirming widespread microplastic exposure in this commercially important species.
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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.