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The availability and ingestion of microplastics by an intertidal fish is dependent on urban proximity
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A New Zealand study found that microplastic levels in intertidal sediments and in fish digestive tracts increased significantly with proximity to urban areas, with fish near Dunedin city having measurably more plastic ingestion than those at rural sites. This demonstrates that urban runoff is a key driver of local microplastic contamination and that wildlife exposure tracks human population density.
ABSTRACT Investigating the impacts of the plastics on our environment, and the potential adverse effects on fauna, has become increasingly important. While a number of studies have shown that microplastic levels in sediments generally increase with proximity to urban regions, fewer studies have investigated how vertebrate ingestion rates vary with urban proximity. Here we explore how urban proximity influences plastic abundance in sediments and plastic ingestion by an intertidal fish ( Forsterygion capito) . Three sites around Dunedin City, New Zealand, were sampled. We demonstrate that fish collected from areas located 2.5 and 10 km from the city centre ingested significantly more microplastic than fish at the furthest site, 25 km away from the city. Likewise, we found that the sediments from the least urban site tended to contain fewer microplastics. Despite this, we found little evidence to suggest that sediment microplastics can predict microplastic ingestion. Overall, this research provides further support that urban proximity impacts microplastic deposition and ingestion by marine fauna.
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This systematic review analyzed microplastic levels found in marine fish worldwide and identified key factors driving contamination. Fish from areas with heavy human activity contained more microplastics, and since many of these species are eaten by people, this contamination represents a direct route of human exposure through seafood.
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A survey of 2,233 fish from 69 species across two tropical Brazilian estuaries found microplastics in 9% of individuals, with ingestion rates linked to feeding guild, habitat use, and proximity to urban areas. The study demonstrates that microplastic ingestion is widespread even in tropical systems and is shaped by ecology rather than occurring at random.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.