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Investigation of Microplastic Accumulation in Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) Caught in the Black Sea
Summary
Horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) caught from Turkish coastal waters were found to contain microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, with fibers and fragments the most common types. The study contributes to baseline data on microplastic contamination in commercially important Mediterranean fish species.
The marine ecosystem is prone to pollution exposure due to a number of factors. Microplastic (MP) pollution has been a severe issue recently; however, studies on marine organisms are limited. The abundance and composition of MPs in highly consumed horse mackerel caught from the Turkish coast of the Black Sea were investigated here. A total of 27 MPs were detected in 121 horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus). The mean of MPs per fish was calculated as 0.22±0.14. While polyethylene was the most prevalent type, fiber, with a length range of 500 to 1000 µm (33%), was the most common form. These findings suggest that more study is required to determine the magnitude of MP contamination in the Black Sea.