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Evidence of microplastics accumulation in the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fishes from an estuarine system in Ghana
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Researchers examined the gills and digestive tracts of 10 fish species from an estuary in Ghana and found microplastics present in all species studied. Fibers were the most common microplastic shape, and the gills contained nearly as many particles as the digestive tract, indicating multiple uptake pathways. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastic contamination in fish is widespread across West African coastal waters.
The contamination of aquatic environments by microplastics (MPs) and their subsequent ingestion by fish continues to be a universal ecological challenge. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the accumulation of MPs by fishes globally, not much work has been done within the major estuaries along the Atlantic Coast. This study explored and characterized microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tract in 98 specimens of 10 fish taxa (Sarotherodon melanotheron, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Gobionellus occidentalis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Chrysichthys nigrodigitalus, Elops lacerta, Mugil bananesis, Cynoglossus senegalensis, Apsilus fuscus and Galeoides decadactylus) from the Pra Estuary, Ghana. The gastrointestinal contents of the fish were extracted, analysed and characterized using a stereomicroscope fitted with an Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). A total of 529 MP particles were found in the fishes. C. nigrodigitalus recorded the highest MP levels in the gills with an average of 4.83 ± 2.08 items/individual whiles S. melanotheron recorded the highest in the gastrointestinal tract at 9.83 ± 4.63 items/individual. Within the fish, transparent fibrous MPs of size <0.5 mm were the dominate types found. A vertical prevalence of MPs was observed across the feeding and habitat preference of the species suggesting a possible linkage with the ecological niche of fishes. Our findings further demonstrate the need for advance studies on the impacts and level of threat microplastic accumulation pose to the sampled fishes and potential consumers.
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Researchers measured microplastics in ocean sediment and two common fish species off the coast of Ghana in the Gulf of Guinea. Microplastics were found in the gills and guts of both fish species, with fibers and pellets being the most common types. Since these are commercially important food fish, the contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic exposure to the local population through their diet.
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercially important fish species from the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana, for microplastic contamination. The study found that 68% of the fish contained microplastics, with fibers being the most common type, raising concerns about potential human exposure through seafood consumption in the region.
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of eight commercial fish species from coastal Guangdong, China. They found an average of 6.6 microplastic particles per fish, with fibers under 1 mm being the most common type, and noted that herbivorous and omnivorous fish accumulated more microplastics in their digestive systems than carnivorous species.
Microplastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish species from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, off the Coast of Ghana
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