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Detection and Identification of Microplastics from Locally Sold Fishes in Borongan City, Samar Island, Philippines
Summary
Researchers detected and identified microplastics in the digestive tracts and gills of locally sold fish species from Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Philippines, finding mostly irregularly shaped micro-fragments that were transparent or red in color. The study highlights microplastic contamination in commercially important fish as a food safety concern for coastal communities in the region.
Microplastics, a prevailing modern contaminant, were detected on fish caught in Brgy. Mayangdan and Brgy. Tabunan, Borongan City, Eastern Samar. Fish samples were collected from markets and barangays, with 1 representative species per species, irrespective of location. The digestive channel, including the gills, was utilized as an anatomy of concern in fishes as the digestive systems are used in the feeding process while gills are primarily exposed to the water around them. Results found a few microplastics, mostly micro fragments that are irregularly shaped and colored either red or transparent/white. This concludes the presence of microplastics in the area of the two barangays in Borongan City. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the presence of microplastics in the water and mangrove areas of the said barangay be assessed to lessen the contamination of water systems with different plastic garbage.