We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Study of the presence of macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach content of juvenile bluefin tunas and their diet in the Mediterranean Sea.
Summary
Researchers studied the occurrence of both macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach contents of juvenile Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea, examining how widespread plastic pollution in one of the world's most contaminated seas affects a commercially and ecologically important large predator.
The Mediterranean Sea has become one of the seas with one of the highest abundances of plastic pollution worldwide [2]. Due to this increase, the study of micro and macroplastics have been carried out to see how the presence of plastics on the marine ecosystems and the different species that habit on them [1], [3],[4]. This problem has also affected food chains due to the bioaccumulation of micro and macroplastics along trophic webs, affecting large predators and species of commercial interest. [1]. The main objective of this work is to study for the first time microplastic ingestion and the relation with their diet in juveniles of one of the most important top predators of the Mediterranean Sea, the bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). The study is mainly focused on individuals between 20 and 40 cm (juveniles) (300 in total), which were captured in recreational fishing contests, with different methodologies and in different parts of the Spanish Mediterranean coast (Tarragona, Mazarrón, Castellón and València) between 2016 and 2017. After the capture, analysis of the stomach contents was carried out both to identify and quantify prey and micro and macroplastics. The composition of microplastics and macroplastics were analysed with the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The results obtained showed a presence of plastics in approximately 30 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559552/document
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Study of the presence of macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach content of juvenile bluefin tunas and their diet in the Mediterranean Sea.
Researchers examined microplastic and macroplastic ingestion in juvenile bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, 20-40 cm) captured in recreational fishing contests at multiple sites along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, studying 300 individuals to assess stomach contents and dietary interactions. The study represented the first investigation of microplastic ingestion and its relationship to prey diet in juvenile bluefin tuna, a commercially and ecologically important top predator.
First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers examined stomach contents of large predatory fish including swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea and found plastic debris in about 18% of the specimens. The ingested plastics ranged from tiny microplastics to large fragments, and were primarily polyethylene and polyester. This is the first study documenting plastic ingestion in large pelagic Mediterranean fish, suggesting that even top ocean predators are exposed to plastic pollution.
Fish as a Bioindicator of Microplastic Contamination in the Mediterranean Sea: State of Knowledge
This review examines the use of fish species as bioindicators of microplastic contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. The analysis found that increasing microplastic pollution would further threaten already-stressed fishery stocks in the region. Researchers recommend prioritizing studies on the most consumed Mediterranean fish species, such as sardine, anchovy, and bluefin tuna, which have been reported to be highly contaminated by microplastics.
Detection of microplastics, polymers and additives in edible muscle of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers detected microplastics — ranging from 140 to 270 particles per kilogram of edible muscle — in swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea, with polypropylene being the most common polymer type in both species. This confirms that microplastic contamination has reached large, commercially important fish consumed by people across the region.
From prey to predators: Evidence of microplastic trophic transfer in tuna and large pelagic species in the southwestern Tropical Atlantic
Researchers found evidence of microplastic trophic transfer from prey to tuna and large pelagic predators in the southwestern Tropical Atlantic, demonstrating that plastic contamination moves through marine food chains to economically important fish species.