We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Diet characteristics of tidal creek-associated fishes of the northeastern Arabian Sea with special reference to microplastic ingestion
Summary
Researchers characterized the diet of fishes associated with tidal creeks in the northeastern Arabian Sea, finding evidence of microplastic ingestion mixed with natural prey items, reflecting environmental plastic contamination in this coastal fishing area.
The present study assessed the diet characteristics, trophic guild structure, and microplastics (MPs) ingestion by a group of fish sourced from the tidal creeks of the Mumbai coast along the Eastern Arabian Sea. The diet patterns were characterized using gastro-somatic index (GaSI), relative length of gut (RGL), diet overlap (α), diet breadth (B), and relative abundance of food items (%IOP), with a special emphasis on MPs contamination. The findings revealed that teleost and shrimps are the most preferred food items for these species. Whereas MPs contribute 5.50% of the total diet composition of the selected fishes. Additionally, we tried to find out the influence of fish size and dietary attributes on MP ingestion, identifying trophic level as a significant factor influencing contamination levels. Using the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), the potential risks posed by MPs in fish samples were assessed, revealing notable discrepancies among polymers. For instance, polyvinyl chloride showed the highest PHI score of 198.75 and a hazard score reaching the highest risk category (IV), indicating substantial environmental risk. In summary, our findings highlight the impact of fish diet characteristics on MPs contamination and the varying levels of MP risks along the Mumbai coast, categorized according to polymer type from low to high risk.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Study of feeding biology and diet-associated microplastic contamination in selected creek fishes of northeastern Arabian Sea: A multi-species approach
Researchers studied the feeding biology and diet-associated microplastic contamination of selected fish species, finding that feeding habits directly influence the quantity and type of microplastics ingested. The results demonstrate that trophic position and prey preferences are key predictors of microplastic exposure in wild fish.
Microplastics assessment in Arabian Sea fishes: accumulation, characterization, and method development
Researchers assessed microplastic accumulation in Arabian Sea fish species, developing optimized digestion protocols and characterizing polymer types to trace contamination sources, finding widespread microplastic ingestion across multiple commercially important fish species.
Microplastics in fishes of commercial and ecological importance from the Western Arabian Gulf
Researchers examined microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of nine commercial fish species from the Saudi EEZ of the Arabian Gulf across coastal, pelagic, and reef habitats, finding a relatively low overall contamination rate (0.057 items per fish) but with variation by species and habitat.
Microplastics in zooplankton in the eastern Arabian Sea: The threats they pose to fish and corals favoured by coastal currents
Researchers found that zooplankton including copepods, chaetognaths, decapods, and fish larvae across six zones along India's western coast in the Eastern Arabian Sea accumulated microplastics predominantly as pellets (52%), with coastal currents implicated in dispersing contamination to fish and coral reef ecosystems.
Microplastic occurrence in selected aquatic species of the Persian Gulf: No evidence of trophic transfer or effect of diet
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in six fish species, one mollusk, and three crustacean species from the Persian Gulf, finding no evidence of trophic transfer of microplastics or dietary effects on contamination levels across species.