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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastics in aquatic species of Anzali wetland: An important freshwater biodiversity hotspot in Iran

Environmental Pollution 2023 24 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Farideh Amini-Birami, Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Farideh Amini-Birami, Farideh Amini-Birami, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Rosa Busquets Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Farideh Amini-Birami, Behnam Keshavarzi, Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farideh Amini-Birami, Farideh Amini-Birami, Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farideh Amini-Birami, Farideh Amini-Birami, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Behnam Keshavarzi, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Behnam Keshavarzi, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Farid Moore, Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Farid Moore, Mehdi Zarei, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Mehdi Zarei, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Farid Moore, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Maryam Saemi-Komsari, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets Mehdi Zarei, Rosa Busquets Ardavan Zarandian, Ardavan Zarandian, Rosa Busquets Rosa Busquets

Summary

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in seven aquatic species from Anzali Wetland in Iran, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. They found microplastics in the digestive tracts, gills, and skin of all species examined, with herbivorous bottom-dwelling fish showing the highest contamination levels. The findings raise concerns about the widespread penetration of microplastics into freshwater food webs at ecologically sensitive sites.

Polymers
Study Type Environmental

Coastal wetlands are sensitive ecosystems that give habitat to large number of species. The extent of the impact of microplastic pollution in the aquatic system and humans is not known. In this study, the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) was assessed in 7 aquatic species from the Anzali Wetland (40 fish and 15 shrimp specimens), a listed wetland on the Montreux record. Specifically, the tissues analyzed were gastrointestinal (GI) tract, gills, skin, and muscles. The total frequency of MPs (all detected MPs in the GI tract, gill and skin samples) varied from 5.2 ± 4.2 MPs/specimen for Cobitis saniae to 20.8 ± 6.7 MPs/specimen for Abramis brama. Among all tissues studied, the GI tract of the Chelon saliens, a herbivorous demersal species, had the greatest level of MPs (13.6 ± 10 MPs/specimen). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the abundance of MPs in different species, tissues, living domains and feeding habit types. The findings support that fish may uptake MPs through adherence in gills (respiration) in addition to ingestion. White/transparent and black/grey polyamide (PA) fibers were the most common type of MP which may be originated from municipal wastewater and intensive fishing activities. About 34% of the MPs were in the range of 250 μm-500 μm, and those >100 μm were not detected in muscles from the study fish. All species had unhealthy weight according to the Fulton's condition index (K). Positive relationships existed between biometric properties (total length and weight) of species and the total frequency of uptaken MPs, pointing to detrimental impact of MPs in the wetland.

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