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Microplastic contamination of intertidal waters, sediments, and Mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) in the North Persian Gulf
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the water, sand, and fish of Iran's Persian Gulf coastline, with the most pollution near industrial areas and the least in a protected nature reserve. Since these fish are eaten by local communities, this plastic buildup could work its way into human diets, and the fact that even the "protected" area wasn't plastic-free shows that pollution travels beyond where it starts, meaning cleanup efforts need to target the source, like factories and wastewater, not just fence off certain areas.
This study provides a multi-matrix assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination in seawater, sediments, and the amphibious mudskipper Periophthalmus waltoni across six coastal sites along the northern Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province, Iran). Widespread microplastic pollution was found characterized by distinct physical and chromatic patterns across environmental compartments. Mean MP abundances were 23.11 ± 9.17 particles/km² in seawater, 161.66 ± 36.7 particles/kg in sediments, and 6.50 ± 5.17 particles per fish. Polyethylene (PE) dominated all matrices (seawater: 75.39%; sediments: 57.72%; fish: 75.35%). Pellets dominated seawater (43.51%), while fibers dominated sediments (49.90%), indicating differential partitioning of microplastic types across environmental compartments. Polyethylene was the dominant polymer across all matrices, consistent with previous regional studies. Spatial analysis reveals a suggestive pollution gradient, with the industrialized Asaluyeh region exhibited the highest contamination, while the Mond Protected Area showed the lowest levels (66% lower in seawater, 42% lower in sediments, and 79% lower in fish tissues). However, the presence of MPs in marine protected areas suggests that conservational efforts in a limited area alone cannot fully prevent pollution from external sources. The tiered management framework proposed here: high-priority action in industrial zones (with emphasis on pellet containment and advanced wastewater filtration), moderate-priority intervention in ports (focusing on fishing gear management and microfiltration), and continued protection tools in conserved zones (centered on monitoring and public participation). This provides a practical approach for reduction of microplastic inputs while safeguarding the long-term ecological integrity and economic productivity of the north Persian Gulf coastal ecosystem.