We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics accumulation in pelagic and benthic species along the Thoothukudi coast, South Tamil Nadu, India
Summary
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the digestive tracts of fish and shellfish along the Thoothukudi coast in southern India. They found microplastics in both open-water and bottom-dwelling species, with bottom-dwellers accumulating slightly more particles, predominantly polyethylene fibers. The findings confirm that microplastic contamination is widespread across marine habitats in the region and underline the need for better plastic waste management.
Microplastics contamination poses a serious threat to marine biota, so the current study was carried out to assess the incidence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of pelagic and benthic species collected from the six sampling sites along Thoothukudi region from January 2021 to December 2021. In the present study, benthic species (0.67 ± 0.14 MPs/indiv) showed a higher abundance of microplastics than pelagic species (0.53 ± 0.11 MPs/indiv). The dominance of microplastic shapes, sizes, colours and polymers found were comparable among both pelagic and benthic species, this being fibre (27.56% and 48.33%), 0.5-1mm (39.78% and 42.94%), blue (50% and 40.85%), and PE (46.24% and 48.18%), respectively. The present study showed that microplastics are ubiquitous in both habitats, which raises serious concerns for public health. Hence, measures focusing on reducing local emissions and plastic waste disposal should be implemented to control microplastic pollution in the marine environment.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence of microplastics in epipelagic and mesopelagic fishes from Tuticorin, Southeast coast of India
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in seawater and six fish species from different ocean depth habitats near Tuticorin, India. The study found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of both epipelagic and mesopelagic fish, with contamination levels varying by species and habitat, suggesting that microplastic exposure extends across different marine depth zones and could affect human exposure through seafood consumption.
Occurrence of microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts of planktivorous fish from the Thoothukudi region
Planktivorous fish from the Thoothukudi region of southern India were surveyed for microplastic ingestion, with plastics found in a high proportion of the 677 individuals examined across multiple species. The results demonstrate that passive ingestion during filter feeding makes planktivorous fish particularly susceptible to microplastic exposure.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution Across the Malabar Coast, India
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and commercially important fish along the Malabar coast in India. They found microplastics in all sample types, with the highest concentrations in fish gastrointestinal and gill tissues, predominantly consisting of fragments and fibers of common plastics like HDPE, PET, and nylon. The study points to direct discharges, runoff, and poor wastewater management as key sources, underscoring the need for regulatory measures to protect both marine ecosystems and the people who consume seafood from the region.
Ingestion of microplastics in commercially important species along Thoothukudi coast, south east India
Researchers found microplastics in the guts of 12 commercially important marine species along India's Thoothukudi coast, with herbivores showing the highest ingestion rates and evidence of biomagnification across trophic levels, suggesting feeding habits — not habitat or body size — drive microplastic accumulation.
Microplastic contamination in commercial fish species in southern coastal region of India
Researchers examined 220 commercial fish from the southern coast of India over six months and found microplastic contamination in all samples, with an average of 3.2 to 7.6 particles per fish. The most common types were fibers and fragments, primarily composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide. The findings indicate that microplastic contamination in commercially valuable fish species is widespread along the Indian coast, raising concerns about food safety.