We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The patterns of trophic transfer of microplastic ingestion by fish in the artificial reef area and adjacent waters of Haizhou Bay
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion by fish in Haizhou Bay's artificial reef area, finding evidence of trophic transfer where predatory species accumulated more microplastics than lower trophic level species in the food web.
Plastic pollution has become a threat to the global marine environment. Many studies have shown that marine organisms are at risk of plastic ingestion, but there is still a lack of relevant research in the artificial reef area and adjacent waters of Haizhou Bay, located in the western Yellow Sea. The study of MPs will provide useful information for MPs pollution in the artificial reef food webs, as well as the understanding of MPs trophic transfer by reef fish. In this study, we quantified plastic ingestion by marine fish in artificial reef areas and adjacent waters (Natural area, NA; Aquaculture area, AA; Estuary area, EA; Artificial reefs area, AR and Comprehensive effective area, CEA) and analysed the related possible influencing factors. Of the 146 fish samples examined, 100% of fish ingested plastics, and 98.9% of these particles were microplastics (MPs) (<5 mm), with 3.00 ± 2.63 pieces/fish. The main types and colours of MPs were fibre (95.9%) and blue (84%). The MP quantity of AR and AA were significantly higher than that of CEA (P < 0.05) and there is no significant difference among other habitats. The MP ingestion by pelagic fishes was significantly lower than that of demersal fishes (P < 0.05). MP ingestion by omnivores was significantly higher than that by carnivores and planktivores (P < 0.05). The body length (body weight) of four species (Larimichthys polyactis: 17.7-16.7 cm (16.01-59.41 g); Collichthys lucidus: 8.1-14.3 cm (19.65-56.92 g); Tridentiger barbatus: 5.9-9.2 cm (3.37-19.1 g); Cynoglossus joyneri: 10.1-18.7 cm (5-45 g)) had no significant correlation with MP ingestion (P > 0.05). Our results showed that MPs in this region are ubiquitous (i.e., the MP ingestion rate was as high as 100%). We infer that there is a transfer mechanism in MPs from pelagic to benthic fish in this area, and there is weak biomagnification with the trophic transfer of the food chain (TMF = 1.62). However, more practical studies still need to verify whether MPs are actually transferred to humans through trophic transfer from the marine food web.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in different tissues of caught fish in the artificial reef area and adjacent waters of Haizhou Bay
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were ubiquitously detected in both gills and gut tissues of fish from the artificial reef area of Haizhou Bay and adjacent waters, with tissue-specific accumulation patterns and polymer types indicating that fish in artificial reef habitats are exposed to similar microplastic contamination as fish in natural habitats.
Exploring transfer of microplastics in the trophic chain: a prey-predator interaction case in the Strait of Messina
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the transfer of microplastics across trophic levels in a prey-predator marine food web, tracking particles from prey organisms to predators. The study confirmed trophic transfer of microplastics and found that predators can accumulate higher particle concentrations than their prey.
Microplastic Ingestion by Fish with Different Feeding Habits from Different Habitats in a Typical Semi-Enclosed Haizhou Bay
AI summary Read the abstract
A study of eight fish species in China's Haizhou Bay found microplastic detection rates of 53–80% across species, with benthic and omnivorous fish accumulating significantly more MPs than pelagic or predatory fish, and PET, polyamide, and polystyrene linked to marine aquaculture and port construction. Feeding behavior and habitat depth are key determinants of MP accumulation, with bottom-dwelling fish consuming prey that carries greater plastic loads from contaminated sediment layers.
Effect of alternative natural diet on microplastic ingestion, functional responses and trophic transfer in a tri-trophic coastal pelagic food web
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how microplastics move through a three-level marine food chain, from zooplankton prey to planktivorous fish, and how the availability of natural food affects microplastic ingestion. When natural food was scarce, organisms consumed more microplastics, and the particles transferred efficiently up the food chain. This study demonstrates that microplastics in the ocean can accumulate through the food web and reach fish species that humans commonly eat.
Trophic transfer of polyester microfibres across a multi-level marine food web
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked how polyester microfibers move through a coral reef food chain, from tiny copepods to shrimp to fish. They found that microplastic concentrations increased up to 14.6-fold between trophic levels, demonstrating that these particles accumulate as they pass up the food web. The study highlights how microplastics can concentrate in marine organisms through normal predator-prey relationships.
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.