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Microplastic enrichment capacity of Ctenochaetus striatus from the habitat environment - An example in Xisha, South China Sea
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This study from the South China Sea investigated microplastic pollution in the waters around the Xisha Islands and examined how the reef fish Ctenochaetus striatus accumulates microplastics from its environment. Microplastics were detected in over 90% of fish sampled, primarily PET fibers and films smaller than 1 mm, with gill accumulation closely tracking ambient seawater concentrations. The positive relationship between fish body size and microplastic load suggests that larger, more actively feeding fish face greater exposure — an important consideration for food safety in reef fish consumed by humans.
Microplastic pollution is a widespread concern in the global marine environment. In this study, microplastic pollution status in Xisha waters was investigated. Microplastics were found in all seawater samples, and 90.76 % of C. striatus samples were detected with microplastics. The average abundance of microplastics in seawater samples was 0.64 ± 0.39 items/L, and the abundance of microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GITs)of C. striatus was 1.14 ± 0.41 items/L and 1.80 ± 0.49 items/L, respectively. Shapes of microplastics in the seawater and in the gills and GITs of C. striatus were mainly fibers and films, and the majority of the particle sizes being <1 mm, and the polymers were mainly PET. In addition, the abundance of microplastics in the gills and GITs of C. striatus was positively correlated with that in the seawater, and the correlation was higher in the gills than in the GITs, which means that the accumulation of microplastics in the gills was more closely related to their habitats. The positive correlation between microplastic abundance in the gills and GITs of C. striatus and its body size may be due to the fact that larger individuals have greater energetic demands, require more energy requirements, consume more food, and thus increase the chances of ingesting microplastics.
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