Investigation of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tract of fish: A comparative study of various freshwater species

Current State of Research on the Prevalence of Microplastics in Aquatic Fish and Their Impact on Health

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Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in fish across all seven continents, finding marine fish were studied 2.6 times more than freshwater species, and that microplastics trigger oxidative stress, alter biochemical pathways, and accumulate through biotransformation in fish tissues globally.

Microplastic Accumulation in Freshwater Fish: Distribution, Sources, and Human Health Implications

Microplastic in fish – A global synthesis

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A global synthesis of microplastic ingestion data from marine, freshwater, and estuarine fish found that 49% of sampled fish worldwide had ingested plastic, averaging 3.5 pieces per fish, with freshwater fish and those from aquaculture sources showing higher ingestion rates than wild marine fish. This comprehensive analysis reveals that microplastic contamination of fish — a primary human protein source globally — is now the rule rather than the exception, underscoring urgent risks to food safety.

Microplastics in Fish: An Emerging Environmental Challenge

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This review synthesized evidence on microplastic bioavailability and accumulation in fish species globally, examining ingestion routes, tissue distribution, and potential health effects on both fish and human consumers. As a major dietary protein source for billions of people, fish contaminated with microplastics represent a direct and quantifiable pathway for human exposure to plastic particles and their adsorbed chemical pollutants.

Prevalence and Characterization of Ingested Microplastics in Coastal Fish in South Korea