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Microplastic (MP) occurrence in pelagic and demersal fishes of Gujarat, northwest coast of India
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Researchers examined 400 fish from Gujarat, India and found microplastics in every single fish, with 68% having plastics in their edible tissue. Fibers were the only type found in edible parts, while inedible tissues also contained fragments and films, with low-density polyethylene being the most common polymer. This is the first study of its kind from this region and suggests that people eating fish from these waters are regularly consuming microplastics.
Microplastics (MPs) are globally observed in marine as well as freshwater habitats, and laboratory studies have shown that marine organisms can accidentally ingest them. Monitoring the MP ingestion by fish in the environment is very crucial for understanding the risk of consuming MP-contaminated fish for human health. In this study, we investigated MP ingestion in 400 fish individuals from the Veraval Coast, in the state of Gujarat, India. There was 100% MP occurrence in the inedible tissues of fish, and 68% of the analyzed fishes presented MPs in edible tissues. The most dominant MPs based on their size in fishes were 0.05-0.1 mm. One hundred percent presence of only fibres in edible tissue was observed, while in inedible tissue, it was 77%, 20.42% and 2.58% of fibre, fragment and film respectively. The most common MP colour was blue. The predominant polymers were low-density polyethylene (LDPE) followed by polypropylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene. This is the first study performed on MPs in marine fishes from this region. Our findings suggest that the abundance of MPs observed in this area is higher than in other states of the country.
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Quantification, identification, and chemical characterization of microplastics (MPs) in commercial fishes from the Palk Strait, Southeast India
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Researchers examined microplastics in the tissues and guts of 75 commercially important fish from the Palk Strait in Southeast India, finding an average of 115 particles per individual. Fibers were the most common form at 51%, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers, and particle sizes ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters. The presence of microplastics in edible fish tissues suggests a potential route of human exposure through seafood consumption.
Quantification, identification, and chemical characterization of microplastics (MPs) in commercial fishes from the Palk Strait, Southeast India
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Researchers examined microplastics in the tissues and guts of 75 commercially important fish from the Palk Strait in Southeast India, finding an average of 115 particles per individual. Fibers were the most common form at 51%, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers, and particle sizes ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters. The presence of microplastics in edible fish tissues suggests a potential route of human exposure through seafood consumption.
From Gujarat to global plates: An integrated assessment and meta-analysis of microplastics in commercially important pelagic fishes and human health risks
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Scientists tested popular fish species from Indian fishing harbors and found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in every fish they checked—with the highest levels actually showing up in the muscle tissue, the part we typically eat, not just the guts or gills. Combined with a review of over 130 other studies worldwide, the research confirms this is a global pattern, meaning the seafood on your plate likely contains some level of plastic contamination, though scientists are still working out exactly how much risk that poses to human health.
Abundance, characteristics, and risk assessment of microplastics in indigenous freshwater fishes of India
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in five widely consumed freshwater fish species from India and found plastic particles in all specimens, with fibers being the most dominant type. Evidence of microplastics in edible fish tissue indicates translocation from the gut, suggesting a pathway for human exposure through consumption. Risk assessment showed that while microplastic abundance posed a low quantitative risk, the polymer types identified indicated a high hazard potential for the fish species studied.
Microplastic contamination in thirty commercially important fish species: Distribution, polymer composition, pollution indices, and human health risks
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 600 specimens across 30 commercially important fish species from the Indian coast, finding the highest accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract with carnivorous species carrying the greatest burden. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the dominant particle types, and human health risk assessment showed measurable daily intake from consuming these fish, with pollution indices indicating considerable to medium hazard risk levels.
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