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Toxic tuna tales: Tracing microplastic pathways in mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis), longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol), and bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
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Researchers examined 125 tuna from three species in Malaysian waters and found microplastics in their digestive tracts, gills, and edible muscle tissue. Fibers were the most common type, and male fish accumulated more microplastics than females. Since tuna is one of the most widely consumed fish globally, the presence of microplastics in edible muscle tissue raises direct concerns about human exposure through seafood.
Casting a shadow upon marine ecosystems worldwide, microplastic pollution emerges as a formidable threat, yet its repercussions on commercially significant marine fish remain largely unexplored. This investigation delves into the realm of microplastic contamination within three tuna species (Euthynnus affinis, Thunnus tonggol, and Auxis rochei) inhabiting Malaysian waters, with a keen focus on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), gills, and edible muscle. These species were chosen due to their significant ecological roles and considerable commercial value, being extensively fished and widely consumed across global regions. Scrutinising 125 tuna specimens uncovers a spectrum of contamination levels across species, with T. tonggol registering the highest concentration (1.22 ± 0.14 microplastics per gram). Remarkably, male tunas exhibit a discernible proclivity towards heightened microplastic accumulation relative to their female counterparts. Noteworthy morphotypes of microplastics predominantly encompass fibres (92.43 %), notably manifesting in black hues (63.25 %). Notably, microplastics spanning the 0.01-1.00 mm size range assert their dominance, constituting a substantial 61.54 % of the total, with rayon emerging as the leading polymer (54.39 %). These findings highlight the pivotal role of the GIT and gills as primary sites of microplastic accumulation in tuna, raising concerns about potential human health implications through seafood consumption. It is crucial to deepen our understanding of microplastic distribution and characteristics in seafood to develop effective mitigation strategies and safeguard human well-being within marine environments. This study advocates for urgent global attention to address the ecological and human health impacts of microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems.
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This systematic review found that tuna species worldwide contain significant levels of microplastics, especially polyethylene and polypropylene, concentrated in their gills and digestive tracts. Since tuna is one of the most widely consumed fish globally, these findings mean that eating tuna is a direct route for microplastic exposure in the human diet.
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Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of skipjack tuna collected from Indonesian waters, with plastic particles present in most fish examined. Since tuna is widely consumed, the findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through seafood.
Identification of Microplastic in the Digestive Tracts of Mackerel Tuna, Lemuru and Sea Water from Pangandaran, Indonesia
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Researchers examined the digestive tracts of mackerel tuna and lemuru fish from coastal waters in Pangandaran, Indonesia, and found microplastics in both species. Mackerel tuna contained mostly fragment-type microplastics while lemuru had primarily fiber-type particles, with polypropylene and polyester identified as the dominant polymer types. The study highlights the extent of microplastic contamination in commercially important fish species and the potential for human exposure through seafood consumption.
Occurrence, characteristics and distribution of microplastics in commercial marine fishes of the Bay of Bengal
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Scientists found microplastics in the muscles, guts, and gills of six commercially important fish species from the Bay of Bengal, identifying over 7,000 particles total. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the most common types, and tuna had the highest contamination levels. Since these fish are widely consumed by people in the region, the findings highlight a direct dietary exposure pathway for microplastics to reach humans through seafood.
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Scientists checked tuna caught off the coast of Mataram, Indonesia and found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in every fish's gut, averaging about 2 pieces per fish — mostly tiny black fibers, likely shed from things like synthetic clothing or fishing nets. Since tuna is a popular food fish, this suggests some of that plastic could end up on our plates too, though more research is needed to know exactly how much risk this poses to human health.
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