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Micro-debris Accumulated in Marine Fishes Collected from Central Vietnam: Characteristics and Implication for Human Health Risk
Summary
Examination of edible tissue from seven common marine fish species in Central Vietnam found micro-debris averaging 0.6–1.0 items per gram wet weight, predominantly fibers of rayon and PET smaller than 250 μm, translating to an estimated annual human intake of 33,000–50,000 items per person through fish consumption. This provides direct evidence of microplastic transfer from marine environments into the human food chain via seafood, quantifying a significant dietary exposure route for coastal populations.
In this study, the composition and characteristics of microplastic and artificial fibers in the edible tissue of seven common marine fishes collected from Central Vietnam were evaluated for the first time. The average numbers of micro-debris determined in spined anchovy, whipfin silver-biddy, round scad, stingray, real tuna, daggertooth pike conger, and narrow-barred Spanish mackerel were 0.6 ± 0.2, 0.8 ± 0.3, 1.0 ± 0.4, 0.8 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.4, 0.7 ± 0.3, and 1.0 ± 0.2 per g-ww, respectively. The fiber was the dominant shape (62–77% of total items), and white transparent (40%) was the most common color of the items found. About 75% of the micro-debris found in edible tissue was smaller than 250 μm, and the remaining 25% was about 250–500 μm. Chemical composition analysis confirmed that rayon and polyethylene terephthalate were the two major components among micro-debris found in the fish tissues, accounting for 45 and 34%. Consequently, the estimated annual micro-debris intake based on fish consumption of people in Central Vietnam might range from 33,000 to 50,000 items/person/year. This study provides valuable information on microplastics and nonplastic microfibers in the marine environment, which contributes to the development of strategies for eliminating pollution caused by marine anthropogenic debris.