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Identificação e quantificação de microplásticos em Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839 capturado na ZEE da Região Autónoma da Madeira
Summary
Portuguese researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) caught in the Madeira exclusive economic zone, examining 180 samples from 60 fish and confirming 109 microplastics — predominantly blue polyethylene fibers smaller than 0.5 mm — mainly concentrated in the stomach. Contamination was highest in the first quarter of the year, suggesting seasonal variation in exposure. The findings demonstrate that deep-sea commercial fish species in Atlantic waters are ingesting microplastics, raising concerns about transfer through seafood consumption.
O presente estudo visou a identificação e quantificação de microplásticos (MPs) no peixe-espada-preto (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) capturado na ZEE da Região Autónoma da Madeira. Foram analisadas 180 amostras (estômago, intestino e músculo) de 60 indivíduos, utilizando digestão alcalina com KOH a 10% e identificação por espetroscopia FTIR. Dos 3801 achados iniciais, foram confirmados 109 MPs e 2 mesoplásticos. O polietileno foi o polímero sintético mais prevalente (39 ocorrências). Os MPs apresentaram-se maioritariamente como fibras azuis com dimensões ≤ 0,5 mm. Registou-se uma variação sazonal significativa, com o pico de contaminação no primeiro trimestre. O estômago foi a parte morfológica com maior acumulação de MPs e verificou-se uma correlação negativa significativa entre o comprimento dos peixes e a incidência de MPs. Estes resultados confirmam a presença de MPs na cadeia alimentar marinha de profundidade, constituindo um alerta para a contaminação de um recurso pesqueiro de grande importância económica regional; - Identification and quantification of microplastics in Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839 caught in the EEZ of the Autonomous Region of Madeira Abstract: The present study aimed at the identification and quantification of microplastics (MPs) in the black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) caught in the EEZ of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. A total of 180 samples (stomach, intestine, and muscle) from 60 individuals were analyzed using alkaline digestion with 10% KOH and identification by FTIR spectroscopy. Out of 3801 initial findings, 109 MPs and 2 mesoplastics were confirmed. Polyethylene was the most prevalent synthetic polymer (39 occurrences). MPs were mostly found as blue fibers with dimensions ≤ 0.5 mm. A significant seasonal variation was recorded, with contamination peaking in the first quarter. The stomach was the morphological part with the highest accumulation of MPS, and a significant negative correlation was observed between fish length and MPs incidence. These results confirm the presence of MPs in the deep-sea marine food chain, highlighting contamination concerns for a regionally important fishery resource.