Distribution of microplastics in different tissues of major commercial catches in different functional areas of the South Yellow Sea

The microplastic (MP) pollution in different tissues of six commercial catches, including (Miichthys miiuy, Eleutheronema tetradactylum, Collichthys lucidus, Mugil cephalus, Portunus trituberculatus and Exopalaemon carinicauda) in Haizhou Bay (nori farming area), Yancheng offshore (wind power construction area) and the Nantong marine ranch area of the South Yellow Sea was investigated. MPs are ubiquitous in commercial catches; the average abundance of MPs is 5.19 ± 3.64 items/individual. There are significant differences in the level of MP pollution in commercial catches among functional sea areas. The level of MP pollution in commercial catches in Haizhou Bay and Yancheng offshore is higher than that in the Nantong marine ranch areas. This difference may be related to intense anthropogenic activities such as engineering construction and mariculture. In addition to the presence in digestive tract, MPs in the skin and gills of fish and in the gills of shrimp and crabs cannot be ignored. The main shape, color and material of MPs are fiber, black-gray and celluloid (CP), respectively. Since commercial catches are consumed by humans, the potential risks of MPs in these catches to human health and marine ecology are of concern.