We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Euryhaline fish larvae ingest more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that euryhaline fish larvae ingested significantly more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater, likely due to physiological differences in drinking rates, with implications for understanding marine fish contamination.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a major concern in aquatic environments. Many studies have detected MPs in fishes; however, little is known about differences of microplastic uptake by fish in freshwater (FW) and those in seawater (SW), although physiological conditions of fish differ significantly in the two media. In this study, we exposed larvae (21 days post-hatching) of Oryzias javanicus (euryhaline SW) and Oryzias latipes (euryhaline FW), to 1-µm polystyrene microspheres in SW and FW for 1, 3, or 7 days, after which, microscopic observation was conducted. MPs were detected in the gastrointestinal tracts in both FW and SW groups, and MP numbers were higher in the SW group in both species. Vertical distribution of MPs in the water, and body sizes of both species exhibited no significant difference between SW and FW. Detection of water containing a fluorescent dye revealed that O. javanicus larvae swallowed more water in SW than in FW, as has also been reported for O. latipes. Therefore, MPs are thought to be ingested with water for osmoregulation. These results imply that SW fish ingest more MPs than FW fish when exposed to the same concentration of MPs.
More Papers Like This
The influences of spatial-temporal variability and ecological drivers on microplastic in marine fish in Hong Kong
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that over 57% of marine fish in Hong Kong waters contained microplastics, with higher abundance in fish from more polluted western waters during the wet season, and that omnivorous fish ingested significantly more microplastics than carnivorous fish regardless of collection location or season.
Microplastics across biomes in diadromous species. Insights from the critically endangered Anguilla anguilla
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in young European eels across freshwater and marine environments, finding these critically endangered diadromous fish are exposed to microplastic contamination in both habitats throughout their life cycle.
Secondary Microplastic Ingestion by Planktivorous Fishes in the Sea of Oman
AI summary Read the abstract
Planktivorous fish in the Sea of Oman were found to have ingested secondary microplastics — fragments derived from the breakdown of larger plastic debris — demonstrating that plastic contamination is reaching mid-level marine food web organisms in the Arabian Sea region. Fish ingestion of microplastics is a key pathway through which plastic particles and their associated chemical contaminants can transfer into seafood consumed by humans.
Effect of biological and environmental factors on microplastic ingestion of commercial fish species
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic ingestion in commercially important fish species, evaluating how biological and environmental factors influence ingestion rates across 2,222 individual fish. The study assessed gastrointestinal tract contents to determine the extent and patterns of microplastic contamination. The findings suggest that both species-specific biology and environmental conditions play important roles in determining microplastic ingestion levels in commercial fish.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.