Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish: Global trends, challenges and perspectives

Environmental Pollution 2025 3 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Luciana Damacena Silva, Guilherme Augustus de Araújo, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Maria Clara Santana Ramos, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Maria Clara Santana Ramos, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Gary R. Carvalho, Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Carlos Filipe Camilo-Cotrim, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Ítalo Braga Castro Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Rafael Braga do Amaral, Ítalo Braga Castro Rafael Braga do Amaral, Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Ítalo Braga Castro Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Thiago Lopes Rocha, Thiago Lopes Rocha, Ítalo Braga Castro Luciana Damacena Silva, Ítalo Braga Castro

Summary

This global review analyzed 144 studies on microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish across 45 countries and found that 450 fish species were contaminated, including 35 species on the conservation Red List. Microplastics were most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, with fibers and fragments being the dominant shapes. The evidence indicates that freshwater fish worldwide are widely exposed to microplastic pollution, with potential implications for both aquatic ecosystems and human seafood consumption.

Polymers

PE PP

Body Systems

Digestive Musculoskeletal

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of global concern with potential risks to wildlife and human health. This study reviewed the literature on MP contamination in wild freshwater fish, analyzing 144 articles published since 2016. Studies were conducted in 45 countries, mainly by China (8.97 %), Bangladesh and India (8.28 % each), and Indonesia (6.90 %). Cypriniformes were the most studied order (52.08 %), with rivers being the predominant sampling sites (57.64 %). Omnivorous fish (80.55 %) were the most studied, and MPs were found in the gastrointestinal tract (51.10 %), gills (19.38 %), and muscle (10.57 %). A total of 450 fish species were found to be contaminated by MPs, including 35 listed on the IUCN Red List: 2 critically endangered, 8 endangered, 12 vulnerable, and 13 near threatened. Although the representativeness of the data may be compromised by selective sampling, polymers such as PE and PP predominated, typically in the form of blue fibers ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 mm, indicating recurring contamination patterns in freshwater environments. Significant research gaps remain, including the need for standardized methods, broader inclusion of Neotropical fish species, investigation of biological responses, and studies on trophic transfer and biomagnification.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email