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Low level of microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary
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Researchers found low levels of microplastic contamination in 26 wild fish species from the Pearl River Estuary, South China, with abundance and polymer composition varying by species feeding strategy and habitat depth, suggesting that estuarine fish exposure depends substantially on ecological niche.
Microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments is considered the dominant input of land-based plastics into the oceans. In this study, the level of microplastic contamination was evaluated in 26 species of wild fish from the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Results showed that microplastics abundance ranged from 0.17 items individual (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris & Acanthogobius flavimanus) to 1.33 items individual (Plectorhynchus cinctus) among different species. The distribution of microplastic abundance in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts was not significantly different. Microplastics in gills are strongly related to the filtration area of gills in 15 fish species. Fibers were the dominant shapes accounting for 93.45% of the total shapes. The majority of microplastics were <3 mm in size. The most common polymer composition was polyethylene terephthalate (38.2%) and the most common color was black (30.36%). The findings of this study provide baseline data for microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary.
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Microplastic contamination in marine-cultured fish from the Pearl River Estuary, South China
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Microplastic abundance was measured in the stomach and intestine of marine-cultured hybrid groupers from the Pearl River Estuary, finding that farmed fish accumulated plastics at levels comparable to wild-caught species. The study highlights aquaculture environments as sites of significant microplastic exposure even for fish not feeding on wild prey.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in commercial fishes from estuarine areas of Guangdong, South China
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Researchers analyzed the abundance, characteristics, and spatial distribution of microplastics in six commercial fish species from estuarine areas of Guangdong, South China, providing quantitative data on microplastic ingestion in fish from one of China's most plastic-polluted coastal regions.
Occurrence characteristics and multidimensional ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary
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Scientists studied microplastic pollution in water, sediment, and fish from the Pearl River Estuary in southern China, finding tiny plastic fibers, mostly cellophane and polyethylene terephthalate, in all three. Fish intestines had the highest amounts. Risk assessments showed some locations had high levels of environmental risk from this pollution.
Characterization and spatial distribution of microplastics in two wild captured economic freshwater fish from north and west rivers of Guangdong province
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Microplastics were found in two economically important freshwater fish species sampled across Guangdong Province, China, with fibers being the most common type and polypropylene and polyester the dominant polymers. The widespread contamination of commercial freshwater fish in China indicates a significant pathway for human exposure through fish consumption.
Microplastics and mesoplastics in fish from coastal and fresh waters of China
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Researchers surveyed fish from both coastal marine and freshwater environments across China and found microplastics in species from both habitats, with differences in contamination levels and plastic types reflecting each environment's pollution profile.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.