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Intraspecific and temporal variation in potential microplastic ingestion by Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in the Funil Hydroelectric reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Scientists studying shrimp in a Brazilian reservoir found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the stomachs of nearly every shrimp they tested, no matter the sex, size, or time of year, though females and larger shrimp had eaten more. This matters because these shrimp are a food source in the region, meaning the plastic they're consuming could work its way up the food chain to the humans who eat them, adding to growing evidence that microplastic pollution is a constant, year-round problem in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an increasing concern in freshwater environments, where these microparticles are easily ingested by aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate intraspecific variation in potential microplastic (PMPs) ingestion by Macrobrachium amazonicum, considering factors such as sex, size, and seasonal changes. Shrimp samples were collected from the Funil Hydroelectric reservoir (Minas Gerais, Brazil) between April 2021 and March 2022. For every individual, the sex and cephalothorax length (CT) were recorded, and the stomachs were subsequently removed. Stomach contents were analyzed under a microscope to identify and quantify PMPs. Overall, 1,214 PMPs were observed in the stomachs of 308 shrimps and occurred in individuals of all sexes, size classes and months of the year. The females ingested a significantly higher amount of PMP than the males, possibly linked to different habitat occupation patterns. PMP consumption increased with shrimp size, suggesting dietary shifts throughout growth stages. Seasonal variations in PMP ingestion were also observed, likely associated with drought and rainfall conditions. December showed the lowest PMP intake, whereas October had the highest. We conclude that PMPs are consumed across shrimp life stages and persist in their habitat throughout the year, highlighting the ongoing spread of this pollution in freshwater environments.
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Scientists studied fish from estuaries (where rivers meet the sea) near a busy port in Brazil's Amazon region to see how much microplastic — tiny plastic particles — they had eaten, and whether this changed by season or by what the fish ate. Since we eat fish, and fish that eat other contaminated fish may build up even more plastic in their bodies, this kind of tracking helps researchers understand how microplastics move through the food chain and potentially onto our plates. This particular paper is a data release, so it focuses on sharing the measurements collected rather than drawing final conclusions about health risks.
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A year-long study of a tropical Brazilian reservoir found microplastics in 90.9% of shrimp samples, with concentrations higher in gills and sediment than in stomachs, and positive correlations across all compartments indicating active trophic transfer. These results demonstrate that freshwater crustaceans in tropical lentic systems are consistently exposed to microplastics via both filter-feeding and sediment contact, with implications for food safety in regions where such shrimp are consumed.
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