We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Dinámica temporal de los hábitos tróficos e incidencia de microplásticos en bagres (Ariidae) en la bahía de Buenaventura, Pacífico colombiano
AI summary Read the abstract
Four species of catfish in Colombia's Buenaventura Bay were found to have ingested microplastics, with rates of 9–13% across species and higher ingestion in adults during the rainy season. The finding that commercially harvested fish in a bay heavily used for artisanal fishing contain microplastics raises direct food safety concerns for the coastal communities that depend on these species as a primary protein source.
Contextualization: The bay of Buenaventura shows evidence of microplastic pollution, which makes this contaminant available to interact with fish such as catfish, on which local communities depend as a source of income and livelihood. Knowledge gap: In the bay of Buenaventura, little has been explored regarding the changes in feeding habits and the incidence of microplastics caused by temporal variations. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the temporal variations in trophic ecology and microplastic incidence in four species of catfish. Methodology: Four samplings were carried out at different times and in different areas of the estuary. Measurements of the water's physicochemical parameters were taken, and fish samples were collected using three types of artisanal fishing gear: handline, trawl net and gillnet. Stomach content was analysed and the presence of microplastics was detected. Results and conclusions: It was found that crustaceans were constant prey for all species, while detritus was only consumed by C. multiradiatus and N. troschelli. Additionally, for the species C. multiradiatus and C. manglarensis, a positive correlation was observed between the ingestion of crustaceans and salinity, which is associated with more marine conditions that favor the abundance and diversity of crustaceans. In contrast, for B. panamensis, a negative correlation was found between crustacean consumption and salinity and transparency, suggesting that it mainly feeds in the inner estuary zone to reduce competition for resources. Microplastic ingestion was observed in all four species: B. panamensis (13%), N. troschelli (11%), C. multiradiatus (10%), and C. manglarensis (9%). Juveniles showed the highest ingestion during the dry season (0.2 ± 0.1 particles per individual), while adults showed higher ingestion during the rainy season (0.4 ± 0.1 particles per individual). These results raise growing concerns about the sustainability of fishing in the Pacific region
More Papers Like This
Impact of contamination due to ingestion of microplastics on commercial fish in relation to their trophic habits
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated the ingestion of microplastics by 28 Sciaenidae and 12 Ariidae fish species from estuaries in Tumaco and Buenaventura Bay, Colombia, examining stomach contents of 1,652 specimens across high and low precipitation seasons in 2020-2021 and analyzing how trophic level and other biological characteristics influence microplastic uptake.
Widespread microplastic ingestion in Colombian Caribbean marine fish: Trophic influence, spatial-temporal trends, and polymer composition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined three commercially important fish species from the Colombian Caribbean and found microplastics in over 82% of individuals across both continental and island waters. Fiber and fragment shapes were the most common types, with higher concentrations found in coastal areas and during the wet season. The findings suggest that microplastic ingestion is widespread among Caribbean fish, with potential implications for seafood consumers in the region.
Differential accumulation of microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fish species of commercial and ecological importance in the Colombian Caribbean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the guts and gills of virtually every fish they tested from Colombia's Caribbean coast, including species people commonly eat. The plastics, likely from textiles, fishing gear, and packaging, were more abundant during rainy season and varied by fish species and size, suggesting that seafood in this region is widely contaminated with microplastics that could potentially make their way up the food chain to humans who eat fish.
Microplastics in water and fish of commercial interest: Distribution and relation to ecology in the colombians caribbean region, south america
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in surface waters and the gastrointestinal tracts of commercially important and invasive fish species along the Colombian Caribbean coast and San Andrés Island, examining the relationship between microplastic distribution and species ecology and geography.
Microplastics in water and fish of commercial interest: Distribution and relation to ecology in the colombians caribbean region, south america
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in surface waters and the gastrointestinal tracts of two commercially important fish species and one invasive species along the Caribbean coast of Colombia's Atlantico department and San Andres Island, relating distribution patterns to the ecology and geographic range of each species.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.