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Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in two edible marine fish species sourced from the Bay of Bengal: Contamination level and risk assessment
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in two commonly eaten fish species from the Bay of Bengal, examining both gills and digestive tracts. Microplastics were found in all fish studied, with differences in accumulation based on the species' feeding habits and where they live in the water column. Since these fish are widely consumed by local populations, the findings raise concerns about human microplastic intake through seafood.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in marine fish and the related health hazards have raised significant concerns worldwide. However, understanding on MP contamination in commonly consumed estuarine fish , particularly considering both gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GITs), is limited. Tissue-specific accumulation, feeding habits, or habitat-based variations of MPs in Mugil cephalus (a benthopelagic species) and Pseudapocryptes paradiseus (a demersal species) from estuarine environments are scarce. To fill the gap, this study evaluated MP accumulation levels and associated risks in the gills and GITs of two marine fish species with differing feeding habits and habitats from a subtropical estuary along the Bay of Bengal. The results revealed that the average MPs abundance ranged from 52.3 ± 10.69 particles individual −1 in M. cephalus to 60 ± 17.6 particles individual −1 in P. paradiseus , indicating that demersal species may pose greater adverse health effects compared to benthopelagic species (p > 0.05). MPs in gill and GIT significantly varied ( p < 0.05) from 12.2 to 14.6 particles individual −1 and 40.1–45.4 particles individual −1 , respectively, and exponentially increased with the dominancy of decreasing MPs size (< 0.5 mm). The MPs were dominated by filamentous fibres (85.49 %) type, and red (47.11 %) in color. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) constituted 50 % of the detected polymer types identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The polymeric hazard index (PHI) (100–1000) and the pollution load index (PLI) (>1) values indicated an overall 'danger' risk and significant contamination by MPs, respectively. This contamination was attributed to the high prevalence of toxic MPs, specifically PET, in marine fish. The high abundance of MPs in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts of studied fish species, along with the predominance of toxic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), highlighted potential health risks and underscored a critical level of environmental pollution . • MPs abundance ranged from 52.3 to 60 particles individual⁻¹ across the two fish species. • Gill MPs ranged from 12.2 to 14.6 particles; GIT MPs ranged from 40.1–45.4 particles. • Fibres (85.49 %) and red MPs (47.11 %) were the dominant types identified in the samples. • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accounted for 50 % of MPs detected via FTIR analysis. • PHI and PLI values suggest high contamination and significant ecological risks from MPs.
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