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Microplastics in the stomach content of the commercial fish species Scomber colias in the Gulf of Cadiz, SW Europe
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Scientists examined the stomachs of 104 Atlantic chub mackerel from the Gulf of Cadiz and found that over 90% contained microplastics, with an average of about 5 particles per fish. Fibers made up 91% of the microplastics found, and the most common polymer was polyamide (nylon). Since this mackerel species is widely consumed by people, the consistent presence of microplastics in their stomachs raises questions about how much plastic is transferred to humans through seafood.
Concerning microplastics (MPs) contamination is increasing due their negative impacts on marine food webs and their potential toxicity to wildlife and humans. In this study, we analyze the presence of MPs in the stomachs of the commercial fish species Scomber colias (Atlantic chub mackerel) in the Gulf of Cadiz (GoC). Out of the 104 analyzed stomachs, 90.4 % contained some type of MPs, with an average of 5.4 MPs per individual. Of the 1152 MPs analyzed, 91.1 % were fibers, and 8.9 % fragments type. Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectrometry analysis was performed on 152 items, revealing that 73.6 % were MPs. The most common synthetic polymers found were polyamide (64 %), polypropylene (15 %), polystyrene (12 %), polyvinyl chloride (5 %), and polyethylene (4 %). The consistent ingestion of synthetic polymers by the individuals of Atlantic chub mackerel across different zones might suggest an even distribution of MP contamination throughout the GoC.
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Microplastic ingestion by Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the Canary Islands coast
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Researchers examined 120 Atlantic chub mackerel from the Canary Islands and found that 78.3 percent had microplastics in their digestive tracts. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, followed by plastic fragments and paint particles. The study represents the first investigation of microplastic contamination in fish from the Northwest African upwelling system, suggesting that this commercially important species could serve as an indicator for microplastic pollution in the region.
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in three commercially important fish species from the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, finding plastic particles in the gut, gills, and muscle tissue. Horse mackerel had the highest contamination rates, with 92 percent of individuals containing microplastics in their digestive tract and 63 percent in their muscle. Since these fish are widely consumed by people, the presence of microplastics in edible muscle tissue is a direct concern for human dietary exposure.
Microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts of Trachurus trachurus and Scomber colias from the Portuguese Coastal waters
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This study found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of two commercially important fish species — Atlantic horse mackerel and Atlantic chub mackerel — caught in Portuguese coastal waters, with higher incidence in one species than the other. The results confirm microplastic ingestion is common in commercially harvested fish, raising questions about human dietary exposure through seafood consumption.
Anthropogenic Particle Ingestion in Atlantic Chub Mackerel (Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789) from the Saronikos Gulf: Occurrence, Characteristics, and Biological Associations
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Researchers examined 179 Atlantic chub mackerel from the Saronikos Gulf and found anthropogenic particles — predominantly microfibers — in 74% of gastrointestinal tracts and 41% of muscle tissue samples, with no significant differences by sex, season, or fish size, establishing this species as a potential bioindicator for marine particle pollution monitoring.
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Researchers found that Atlantic mackerel and blue whiting in Icelandic waters had ingested microplastics, with fibres being the dominant type found. The study suggests these commercially important fish species are exposed to microplastics throughout their feeding range in the North Atlantic.
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