We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantifying the risk of plastic ingestion by ichthyofauna in the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean Sea)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled habitat suitability for 42 coastal fish species in the Balearic Islands and overlaid those maps with plastic debris distributions, finding that plastic ingestion risk was highest in the northwest and southeast regions and that species at higher trophic levels faced disproportionately greater exposure.
This study investigates the risk plastic debris ingestion poses to coastal marine taxa in the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean Sea. Here, we use species observations and environmental data to model habitat maps for 42 species of fish. For each species, we then match estimates of habitat suitability against the spatial distribution of plastic debris to quantify plastic exposure, which we further combine with species-wise ingestion rates to map the risk of plastic ingestion. The results indicate that the risk of plastic ingestion is particularly high in the north-west and south-east regions and the risks varied strongly between species, with those at higher trophic levels being the most vulnerable overall. Extending this work to other coastal regions within the Mediterranean Sea and beyond will allow managers and policymakers to target the most appropriate areas and types of interventions for mitigating plastic pollution on coastal diversity in the marine environment.
More Papers Like This
Risk assessment of plastic pollution on marine diversity in the Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled plastic ingestion risk for 84 Mediterranean species across six taxonomic classes, finding that coastal species face the highest risk and that species with larger home ranges encounter plastic over greater distances — identifying spatial hotspots that could guide conservation priorities.
Anthropogenic particles ingestion in fish species from two areas of the western Mediterranean Sea.
AI summary Read the abstract
Anthropogenic particles including microplastics were found in the digestive tracts of fish from two aquatic environments, with ingestion rates and particle types varying by species and location. The study documents widespread microplastic ingestion across fish species in different habitat types.
Modelling plastics exposure for the marine biota: Risk maps for fin whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary (North-Western Mediterranean)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled microplastic exposure for fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea, creating risk maps based on whale habitat use and microplastic distribution. The study found high overlap between whale feeding areas and areas of elevated microplastic concentrations, suggesting significant ingestion risk for this endangered species.
Are feeding traits and habitat responsible of microplastics ingestion in fish, crustaceans and elasmobranches at the western Mediterranean?
AI summary Read the abstract
This western Mediterranean study examined microplastic ingestion across multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and elasmobranchs, finding that feeding traits and habitat influenced but did not fully explain plastic uptake rates. The results indicate that a range of commercially important marine species are exposed to microplastics, with mean ingestion rates up to 2.3 particles per individual.
Microplastic ingestion by pelagic and benthic fish and diet composition: A case study in the NW Iberian shelf
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in 78% of fish examined across four pelagic and benthic species from the NW Iberian shelf, with ingestion rates varying by feeding ecology and habitat depth, and identified predominantly fibers and fragments in gastrointestinal contents following alkaline tissue digestion.
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.