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Tissue-specific occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in marine fish from coastal China
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Researchers examined muscle, gut, and gill tissue from 131 marine fish caught off China's coast and found microplastics in nearly all samples, with the highest levels in gills. Based on muscle tissue levels, they estimated average dietary exposure for China's general population at 2.78 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight per day.
Microplastics (MPs) in marine fish has raised concerns regarding potential human dietary exposure. This study investigated the occurrence of MPs in the muscle, gastrointestinal tract, and gill tissues of 131 marine fish (19 species) collected from the Bohai Sea in 2022 and from the East China Sea and South China Sea in 2023, with water, sediment, and feed samples. MPs were detected in 95.4% of muscle samples, 100% of gastrointestinal tract samples, and 96.2% of gill samples. Median MP abundance was the highest in gill tissue (86.67 items/g), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (27.59 items/g) and muscle (12.96 items/g). Across all tissues, 20–50 μm fraction predominated. Fragments were the dominant particle shape in muscle and gastrointestinal tract tissues, while fibers and fragments were equally common in gill tissue. Polyvinyl chloride was the dominant polymer across three tissues. Based on MP concentrations in muscle tissue, the estimated mean and 95th percentile dietary exposures for the general population of China were 2.78 and 19.54 items/kg body weight/day (334.41 and 2351.67 ng/kg body weight/day) for the 10–500 μm fraction. This study provides integrated evidence on MP occurrence in the edible tissue of marine fish and assesses the associated potential dietary exposure.
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of eight commercial fish species from coastal Guangdong, China. They found an average of 6.6 microplastic particles per fish, with fibers under 1 mm being the most common type, and noted that herbivorous and omnivorous fish accumulated more microplastics in their digestive systems than carnivorous species.
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Researchers examined microplastics in the gills and guts of 11 commercial fish species from a Chinese coastal fishing ground, finding that over 85% of fish contained microplastics in these tissues at levels of roughly 2–3 pieces per fish. PET fibers with a blue color were most common, and microplastic abundance did not increase with trophic level, suggesting limited biomagnification in this food web. Because many of these fish species are consumed by humans, understanding their microplastic loads is directly relevant to assessing human dietary exposure.
Microplastic prevalence in marine fish from onshore Beibu Gulf, South China Sea
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Researchers examined 271 fish across 32 species from the Beibu Gulf and found microplastics in the majority of samples, with fibers being the most common type and abundance varying by species, feeding habits, and habitat.
Microplastic Distribution Patterns in Fish and Implications for Safe Consumption
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Researchers examined over 1,000 fish from 37 species and found microplastics in the gills and guts of about 36-40% of fish, but none in muscle tissue. Fish from shallower waters and smaller fish had more microplastics. The study recommends that people eat only the muscle portion of fish and choose larger fish from deeper waters to reduce their microplastic intake, estimating that global per capita exposure from fish is about 56,000 particles per year.
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Researchers examined 158 commercial marine fish from 16 species in Malaysia and found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of all species studied. Fibers were the most common microplastic type, and the contamination levels varied between sampling locations. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastics are widespread in commercially important fish species, raising questions about the potential for human exposure through seafood consumption.
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