We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic fibres in juvenile European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) from Swansea Bay
Summary
Researchers investigated the prevalence of microplastic fibres in juvenile European plaice and whiting collected from marine environments, contributing occurrence data on microplastic fibre ingestion in commercially important juvenile fish species.
Microplastic fibres (MPF), pervasive in marine environments due to their persistent nature and diminutive size, pose ecological threats as potential targets for ingestion by native species. This study contributes to the ongoing data collection effort on MPF prevalence in marine wildlife by investigating MPF presence in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of juvenile Pleuronectes platessa (European plaice) and Merlangius merlangus (whiting) fish samples from the Swansea Bay ecosystem. Specimens were collected using beam trawl and their GITs were dissected and probed for MPF presence. Among all analysed specimens, 35.9% contained fibres, with a significantly higher average number of MPF/GIT in the whiting population (49.2% with MPF; 0.92 MPF/GIT) than plaice (21.4% with MPF; 0.29 MPF/GIT). Both fish consume plankton and planktotrophic fish. Plankton are prone to MPF ingestion, attributed to the resemblance of MPF to their natural diet, and so it was hypothesised that trophic transfer of MPF had occurred. Whiting generally consumes a wider variety of planktonic organisms, potentially explaining the elevated MPF prevalence observed in the whiting specimen compared to the plaice. While this research served only as a preliminary study (and thus, potentially confounding factors were not considered), these results demonstrate the presence of microplastics in this Swansea Bay ecosystem and highlight concerns regarding microplastic bioaccumulation and trophic transfer.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of both pelagic and demersal fish species and found microplastics in individuals from both groups, suggesting that microplastic ingestion occurs across fish species regardless of their position in the water column.
Occurrence and potential effects of plastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish from the North Sea and Baltic Sea
Researchers examined the occurrence and potential effects of plastic ingestion in pelagic and bottom-dwelling fish from the North Sea and Baltic Sea, finding plastics in both groups. The study contributed to baseline knowledge of microplastic ingestion rates in commercially important fish species in European seas.
Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercial fish caught from a natural estuarine environment and found microplastics in a significant proportion of individuals, documenting both occurrence rates and particle characteristics.
Microplastics occurrence in edible fish species (Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius) collected in three different geographical sub-areas of the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 229 demersal fish from two Mediterranean species across three geographic sub-areas, finding microplastics in a significant portion of individuals with fibers as the dominant type. The study contributes to growing evidence that microplastic ingestion is widespread in commercially fished Mediterranean species.
Ingestion of microplastics and natural fibres in Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) along the Spanish Mediterranean coast
Microplastics and natural fibers were found in the digestive tracts of European sardines and anchovies collected from 14 stations along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, with microplastics present in about 15% of individuals. The study documents widespread but variable microplastic ingestion in two commercially important small pelagic fish species that are key components of Mediterranean food webs and human diets.