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Assessment of Microplastic Ingestion in Freshwater Fish Labeo Rohita From the Indus River Crossing Dera Ismail Khan
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Scientists found microplastics, tiny plastic bits, in 78% of Labeo rohita fish from Pakistan's Indus River, a popular food fish. Most were plastic fibers, and contamination was worse downstream, likely from pollution buildup. Since this fish is widely eaten, these findings raise concerns about how much plastic ends up on our plates.
The increasing contamination of MP’s in aquatic environment particularly in fresh water ecosystem has become a serious challenge for human health fresh water system like Indus river system is an important transport routes for plastic contamination however the research regarding on micro plastic ingestion in commercially impotent fish species remains limited There for the present study was aimed to investigate the ingestion of micro plastic in fresh water fish Labeo rohita on the basis of size, color and shape. A Total of 100 fish specimen were collected from three different sites of Indus River Dera Ismail Khan the three locations are named as upstream, midstream and downstream. The fish specimen were collected between November 2025 to April 2026. The Gastrointestinal Tracts of each specimen is removed after dissection for further analysis the GIT tract is digested in 30% hydrogen per oxide solution to is date organic materials the solution was incubate at 48c’ and then Filters through Filter paper the filter paper contain the remaining particles was dried in a laboratory oven at 37c’ After drying the filter paper was examined under a compound microscope. The extracted MPs were identified and characterized based on their size shape and color on way Anova and correlation test were carried out to determine the variance and relationship with fish biometric parameters. Results revealed that 78% of fish contained microplastics, with a sum of 156 molecules detected along with a mean profusion of 1.56 ± 1.21 items per fish. The predominant type was fibers (67%), then succeeded by films (14%), lines (10%), fragments (6%), and foam (3%). Black-colored particles were most prevalent (29%). Microplastic abundance was significantly higher at downstream sites (p = 0.017), and showed positive correlations with body length (R² = 0.41), body weight (R² = 0.46), and gut weight (R² = 0.39). Labeo rohita from the Indus River are significantly exposed to microplastic contamination. It is recommended that continuous monitoring, enhanced management of garbage practices, and consciousness of the public programs be implemented to reduce microplastic waste in freshwater habitat.
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This review pulls together existing research showing that freshwater fish—including popular food sources—are widely contaminated with tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which end up not just in their guts but in muscle tissue, the part we actually eat. Since these plastics can carry harmful chemicals and may cause damage in fish like inflammation and hormone disruption, eating contaminated fish could pose similar risks to people, though scientists still need better, more consistent testing methods to fully understand the danger. The bottom line: plastic pollution in rivers and lakes isn't just an environmental problem—it may be quietly making its way onto your din
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