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Seasonal variation in the ingestion of anthropogenic particles by Mylossoma duriventre in the Juruá River Valley, state of Acre, Brazil
Summary
This Brazilian study monitored microplastic ingestion by a commercially important fish species (Mylossoma duriventre) in the Amazon basin across wet and dry seasons, finding that fiber ingestion increased significantly during the high-water flood period. Hydroclimatic factors therefore appear to drive seasonal pulses of microplastic exposure in fish. Since this species is widely consumed by local communities, seasonal peaks in microplastic contamination have direct implications for human dietary exposure.
This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in the presence of plastic fragments in the digestive system of Mylossoma duriventre, a species that is both abundant and commercially significant in the Juruá River Valley, state of Acre, Brazil. Two collections were conducted, the first in March 2024 and the second in July-August 2024, in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre. Our findings indicated that hydroclimatic factors play a crucial role in the occurrence of microplastics in M. duriventre, with a notable increase in fiber ingestion during the high-water period. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the environmental risks associated with microplastics and highlight their biological consequences. In addition, this study aimed to raise awareness of the urgent need to reduce plastic usage and implement responsible waste disposal practices.