We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characterization, distribution, and risk assessment of microplastic in fish and sediment from the longest river of Bangladesh
Summary
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in fish and sediment from the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh, the country's longest river. They found microplastics in all fish and sediment samples, with fibers being the most common type, and bottom-dwelling fish species containing more particles than those living near the surface. The study provides important baseline data on freshwater microplastic pollution in a major South Asian river system.
Microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) are among the most common pollutants in aquatic habitats because they may develop to high densities and can interact with both the abiotic and biotic environments. There is less information available on microplastics in the freshwater systems than there is in the marine environment. This study aims to shed light on the abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics in the Brahmaputra River (Mymensingh) through the utilization of the wet peroxide oxidation isolation technique, supplemented with sodium chloride, to examine fish and sediment specimens collected between December 21, 2022 and January 12, 2023. A total of 26 and 189 microplastic particles were identified in the fish and sediment samples, respectively. Microplastics (MPs) concentrations in fish gut ranged from 0.5 ± 0.7 to 1.67 ± 0.58 MPs individual-1. The most prevalent shape found in fish stomachs was fiber (46%), and the most common color was transparent (32%). Sizes 0.5-1 mm (1.6 ± 0.74) had the most microplastics. This study found that fishes from the demersal (3.25 ± 1.7) zone had more MPs than the benthopelagic (2.5 ± 0.58) and pelagic (1.5 ± 0.7) zones. Omnivorous fishes (54%) consumed more microplastics than carnivorous (31%, 2.6 ± 0.58) and herbivorous fishes (15%,1.33 ± 0.94). Microplastic consumption had a moderate correlation with fish body weight (r = 0.34), length (r = 0.46), and gastrointestinal content (r = 0.45). The MPs per kilogram of Brahmaputra River bed sediment ranged from 8 to 31, with a mean abundance of 18.9 ± 7.01 particles kg-1. The most common shape identified in this study was fragments (52%) and 33% of sediment microplastics were blue in color. Microplastics were most abundant in the 1-3 m-meter size class. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that polypropylene (PP) was the most prevalent MP in both fish (34%) and sediment (40%) samples. In this study, the Pollution load index (PLI) for each sampling site is <10, with the highest value found for station 2(1.97 ± 0.49), regarded as risk category I. This study's results will be useful for future research on microplastics in freshwater environments. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Abundance and distribution of microplastics were determined from the longest river of Bangladesh. The structural properties of microplastics were characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Pollution load index (PLI) of microplastics was investigated.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Prevalence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species of the river Old Brahmaputra, Bangladesh
Researchers found microplastics in nearly 59% of edible fish from Bangladesh's Old Brahmaputra river, with polyethylene fibers and pellets dominating, and ingestion rates linked to fish size, feeding behavior, and downstream location.
Abundance, distribution and composition of microplastics in sediment and fish species from an Urban River of Bangladesh
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in both river sediment and fish from the Turag River in Bangladesh, which separates an industrial city from the capital Dhaka. They found microplastics in all sediment and fish gut samples, with fragment-type particles dominating in sediment and fibers most common in fish. The study highlights that urban rivers in densely populated areas can serve as significant conduits of microplastic exposure for both aquatic life and the people who consume river fish.
Abundance, characteristics and variation of microplastics in different freshwater fish species from Bangladesh
Researchers examined 48 freshwater fish from 18 species in Bangladesh and found microplastics in the digestive tracts of over 73% of the fish studied. Fibers were the most common shape, and the plastics were primarily polyethylene and polypropylene-based polymers. Bottom-dwelling fish contained more microplastics than those living higher in the water column, suggesting that contaminated sediments are a significant source of exposure for freshwater species.
Occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and biota of Surma River, Bangladesh
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive study of microplastic pollution across water, sediment, and aquatic organisms in the Surma River in northeastern Bangladesh. They found microplastics in all three compartments, with fibers being the most common shape in water and biological samples, while fragments dominated in sediments. Pollution risk indices indicated substantial contamination levels, highlighting the need for better plastic waste management in the region.
Pervasiveness of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of some selected fish species from Turag River alongside the capital city of Bangladesh
Researchers found microplastics in all three species of fish collected from the Turag River near Dhaka, Bangladesh, with fiber being the dominant type at 89-93% of all particles found. The most common plastics identified were polypropylene, polystyrene, and low-density polyethylene, with the majority of particles smaller than 0.5 mm. Since these freshwater fish are a major protein source for local communities, the contamination raises concerns about microplastic exposure through the food supply in urban areas of developing countries.