We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Evaluation of Microplastics Ingested by Sea Cucumber Stichopus Horrens in Pulau Pangkor, Perak, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic ingestion in sea cucumbers collected from a Malaysian coastal site, finding plastic particles in their digestive systems. As deposit feeders living in sediment, sea cucumbers are particularly vulnerable to ingesting microplastics that accumulate in seafloor environments.
Abstract The widespread presence of microplastics has caused significant concerns on their potential effects on marine ecosystems. Microplastics are classified as plastic products of less than 5 mm in size and are known to be one of the most dangerous aquatic debris to marine species. Sea cucumbers are deposit-feeders living in sediment regions that may collect microplastics in low-energy environments. This research aims to evaluate the types of microplastic isolated from the intestine of Stichopus horrens in Malaysia. Sea cucumber samples collected from Pulau Pangkor, Malaysia were dissected, and their intestines were collected for digestion. Microplastics were extracted using NaOH and filtered using filter paper. Microplastic identification was conducted on the based on the physical characteristics (colour, shape, size) and chemical characterisation was evaluated using FTIR for polymer functional groups. A total of 1446 microplastics were found in Stichopus horrens . Among various types and colors, fibre (90%) and black (59%) were dominant amongst the various particles identified. The majority of microplastics sizes were 0.51 µm and 1–2 µm. Two polymer materials were identified, namely polyethylene and poly(methyl methacrylate). As a conclusion, the findings of the study will serve as primary data for pollution indicators in respective islands.
More Papers Like This
Evaluation of microplastics ingested by sea cucumber Stichopus horrens in Pulau Pangkor, Perak, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion by sea cucumbers (Stichopus horrens) collected from a Malaysian island, finding MPs in all sampled individuals and identifying fibers and fragments as the most common types, consistent with local fishing and aquaculture activity.
Evaluation of Microplastics Ingested by Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra from Pulau Jambongan, Sabah
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found 7,403 microplastic particles in the digestive tracts of 30 sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) collected from a Malaysian island, with 99% being fibers and the dominant polymer being polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The high contamination level indicates significant marine pollution in the region and shows that bottom-dwelling sea cucumbers — which process large volumes of sediment — are especially exposed to microplastic accumulation. This is relevant to seafood safety since sea cucumbers are commercially harvested for human consumption.
Types and Abundance of Microplastics in the Digestive Tract of Cucumbers in Banyak Island, Aceh Singkil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the digestive tracts of sea cucumbers from Banyak Island, Indonesia, identifying microplastic types and quantities ingested by these organisms in a coastal area affected by community plastic waste.
Evaluation of microplastics isolated from sea cucumber Acaudina molpadioides in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined sea cucumbers from Langkawi, Malaysia and found over 1,600 microplastic particles in their digestive tracts, with fibers making up more than 99% of the contamination. The most common polymer types identified were polyethylene and polymethyl methacrylate, with the majority of particles falling in the smallest size ranges. The findings raise concerns about potential human exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption.
Microplastic ingestion in the black sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota (Brandt, 1835) collected from Rambut Island, Seribu Islands, Jakarta, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found microplastics inside sea cucumbers collected from Indonesian coastal waters near Jakarta, with plastic particles concentrated in the intestines. Sea cucumbers are sediment-feeding bottom dwellers, making them useful indicators of microplastic contamination on the seafloor.
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.