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Microlitter in Fish and Benthic Invertebrates of the NE Baltic Sea: Abundance, Composition and Bioindicators
Summary
Researchers characterized microlitter abundance, composition, and bioindicator potential in fish and benthic invertebrates from multiple sites in the NE Baltic Sea, including the Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, and western Estonia, following HELCOM methodology. Examining 11 fish species and 6 benthic invertebrate species collected during 2019-2020, the study evaluated resident marine fauna as monitors of microplastic contamination.
The following paper is intended to characterize microlitter occurrence in resident fish, bivalves and crustaceans collected from multiple sites NE Baltic Sea-Gulf of Finland, NE Gulf of Riga (Pä rnu Bay), and western Estonia (including eastern Baltic Proper, archipelago area, and western coastal area of mainland) according to regionally coordinated Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) methodology.Marine litter and microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts from 11 fish and 6 benthic invertebrate species collected during the period 2019-2020 were evaluated.Analyses of microlitter were based on the suggestions given in Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas and Monitoring Micro-Litter Ingestion in Marine Fish: a harmonized protocol for Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs) areas.All species contained microlitter (over 30% of samples from all individuals, N=1332).Highest microlitter concentrations were found in perch Perca fluviatilis (44%, N=106) and blue mussel Mytilus trossulus (42%, N=241).For Harris mud crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii the percentage was 23% (N=123).Among the three litter categories found, fibers accounted for the highest percentage -46-100% for fish, 88-91% for bivalves and 75% for crabs.On average the abundance of recorded items was as follows: 0.54 (fish), 0.47 (bivalves) and crabs (0.33) per individual.In majority of analysed bivalves (69.6%, N=675) and fish (61%, N=524) that contained microlitter one microparticle per individual was detected.In case of most fish species, higher number of microlitter was associated with larger size (0.3-5mm) of the ingested particles.Our results reveal the ubiquitous presence of microplastics or other microlitter in organisms across multiple habitats in the NE Baltic Sea.The study identifies potential bioindicator species and provides an important baseline to monitor microplastic pollution in accordance with the MSFD.Among studied species, blue mussel (M.trossulus), Baltic macoma (M.balthica), Harris mud crab (R. harrisii), perch (P.fluviatilis), flounder (P.flesus), and Baltic herring (C.h.membras) were proposed as target species for assessment of ingested litter among invertebrate and fish in NE Baltic Sea.