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Presence of microplastics in Sciades herzbergii (Bloch, 1794) captured in harbor areas of the Amazon coast, Maranhão, Brazil
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in Pemecou sea catfish collected from a harbor area along Brazil's Amazon coast and found plastic particles in 100% of the fish studied. A total of 876 particles were identified, mostly fibers and fragments, with adult females showing the highest average contamination levels. The findings highlight that even remote Amazonian coastal waters are affected by microplastic pollution, with potential implications for both ecosystem health and food safety.
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm and are pervasive in numerous marine environments. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of MPs in the Pemecou sea catfish (Sciades herzbergii) collected in the harbor area of Coqueiros Strait on Maranhão Island in the city of São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil. Forty individuals were captured in the rainy and dry seasons. Gastrointestinal tissues were analyzed after digestion in 10 % potassium hydroxide, followed by filtration and analysis by optical microscopy. MPs were detected in 100 % of the individuals, the total amount found was 511 fibers, 353 fragments, and 12 pellets. The most prevalent concentrations were found in adult females, who had an average of 26.63 MPs per individual. These results are relevant for the environmental monitoring of the study area, especially in the context of contamination by MPs in port environments, with possible implications for human health and environmental conservation. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: The present work evaluates the environmental quality of a significant port area on the Amazon coast in the State of Maranhão, where Sciades herzbergii specimens were analyzed to assess microplastic contamination levels. The study found substantial quantities of microplastic fibers in all specimens across multiple collection sites, with notable seasonal variations in fiber colors, suggesting diverse sources and dispersion mechanisms. The results indicate that S. herzbergii can serve as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution in the region, providing valuable information for monitoring the impact of marine debris in coastal environments.
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