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Distribution, abundance, and composition of microplastics in market fishes from the Red and Mediterranean seas in Egypt
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commercially sold fish from both the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt and found microplastics in 88 percent of the fish examined. Fibers were the most common particle type, and species that feed closer to the seafloor tended to have higher contamination levels. The study raises concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through regularly consumed market fish in the region.
Marine environments contain plastic debris that potentially elicits adverse effects in aquatic organisms. In Egypt, microplastic pollution has been recognized as a significant issue; however risks associated with human consumption have not been fully elucidated. Here, we evaluated the frequency of occurrence, abundance, and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in marine fishes at market from the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt. Four fish markets distributed along the two seas (Hurghada and Suez in Red Sea) and (Port Said and Alexandria in Mediterranean Sea) were sampled in May 2021. In fish at markets, MPs were found throughout the gastrointestinal system (stomach and intestine) but were not detected in either muscle or liver. The body size (length and weight) of the market fish was positively correlated with and the concentration of MPs. The most frequent size of MPs observed in fish were between as >5000 μml (26%), followed by 500–1000 μm (25.8%), μm and 1000–5000 μm (22.7%). The highest MPs concentration was found in fish collected at the Hurghada site (4.16 items/individual). The most abundant polymers comprising plastic in marine fishes in Egypt in the Red Sea, the dominant Polymers of the MPs in fish was PE (59.4%), followed by PP (24.8%). while, In the Mediterranean Sea, the dominant Polymers of the MPs in fish was PP (48.5%), followed by PE (35.9%). We conclude that the size of the fish, its diet, and habitat are key factors related to MP bioaccumulation in marine fish species. We have improved our understanding of the risk MPs pose to fisheries and marine ecosystems by demonstrating their widespread presence there. Consequently, it is more important than ever to get plastics out of the sea.
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Researchers found microplastic contamination in commercial fish samples from Alexandria City markets on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, with MPs detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple species. The study assessed potential human dietary exposure from consuming fish that had ingested plastic particles in the heavily polluted Eastern Mediterranean.
Microplastic distribution, abundance, and composition in the sediments, water, and fishes of the Red and Mediterranean seas, Egypt
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Microplastics were found in surface water, sediment, and fish tissues across Red Sea and Mediterranean sites in Egypt, with the highest concentrations near ports and river mouths, and polyethylene and polypropylene dominating the polymer composition in both water bodies.
Abundance and ecological risk of microplastics in commercial fish species from northeastern Mediterranean Sea
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Researchers examined nine commercially important fish species from the northeastern Mediterranean Sea and found microplastics in both their digestive tracts and gills. The most common particles were small polyethylene and polypropylene fibers, and bottom-dwelling fish species had higher contamination levels. While the ecological risk was rated low to medium, the presence of microplastics in widely consumed fish species highlights a potential pathway for human exposure through seafood.
Microplastics in commercial fish and their habitats in the important fishing ground of the Black Sea: Characteristic, concentration, and risk assessment
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in six commercial fish species from the Black Sea and found microplastics in all environmental areas studied, including surface water, the water column, sediments, and fish. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, and bottom-dwelling fish had higher contamination levels than fish living closer to the surface. Since these are commonly eaten fish species, the findings are relevant to human dietary exposure to microplastics.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Economically Significant Fish Species from Libya’s Northeastern Mediterranean Coast
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Researchers sampled five commercially important fish species from marine habitats along the eastern Libyan coast and quantified microplastic contamination in their gastrointestinal tracts. Microplastics were detected in all species, with fiber types dominating, marking one of the first systematic assessments of microplastic pollution in Libyan territorial waters.
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