Influence of habitat on plastic contamination in three ray species from southern Brazil

Microplastic ingestion by fish from beaches with different characteristics in a tropical bay

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Researchers studying fish in a tropical bay found that 1 in 5 fish had microplastics in their stomachs, and this happened across all species, sizes, and locations, including areas far from big cities. Even fish-eating predators (which many humans also eat) showed contamination, suggesting plastic pollution is now baked into the food web from top to bottom. Since some of these fish end up on dinner plates, this study is a reminder that microplastic exposure through seafood may be more widespread than we think, and more research is needed to understand what that means for our health.

Ecological and Seasonal Patterns of Microplastic Ingestion in Fish Near a Port Region in the Brazilian Amazon

Impact of Plastic Waste Ingestion by Fish

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This review synthesized experimental evidence on how microplastic ingestion affects fish physiology and behavior, finding that plastics act as vectors for toxic chemicals including mercury, cause oxidative stress, and transfer contaminants up the food chain to human consumers. Because microplastics bioaccumulate through trophic levels, populations relying heavily on seafood—particularly from coastal regions—face compounded exposure risks that extend well beyond the plastic particles themselves.

Biochemical responses and ingestion of microplastics by native fishes in the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil

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Researchers assessed fish health along a contamination gradient in Brazil's Atlantic Forest and found that microplastic accumulation was highest in carnivorous fish at impacted midstream sites, while biochemical stress markers were elevated even in upstream areas considered relatively pristine, underscoring the need for ongoing biomonitoring.

Evaluation of Microplastic Pollution in Gills of Freshwater Fish in a Neotropical Hydrographic Basin, Brazil

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Analysis of gill tissue from 98 freshwater fish across eight species in Brazil's Sorocaba River basin found microplastics in every individual, with fibers comprising 74% of the 385 particles detected and highest contamination in the most disturbed river. The universal gill contamination across species demonstrates that freshwater fish in human-impacted watersheds serve as a direct route for microplastic entry into aquatic food webs and ultimately human diets.