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The occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of demersal fish species
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Scientists checked the stomachs of six types of bottom-dwelling fish and found tiny plastic bits, mostly fibers from things like synthetic clothing, in about 12% of them. Fish with plastic in their guts were noticeably thinner and less healthy than fish without it, suggesting microplastics may harm fish wellbeing. Since these fish are commonly eaten by people, this raises questions about both fish health and what might end up on our dinner plates.
The study aimed to quantify and qualify the microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract contents of the six (6) dominant demersal fish species, determining the percentage frequency of occurrence and the condition factor. Out of 180 fish individuals examined, 21 samples (11.67 % of the total samples) have microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts. The microplastics observed were fibers which occur the most (count = 22; %FO = 78.57 %), followed by microbeads (count = 5; %FO = 17.86 %) and rubber (count = 1; %FO = 3.57 %). The Spangled Emperor, L. nebulosus, was the highest consumption of 13 (46.43 %) fiber and 1 (3.57 %) microbeads in the stomach. No microplastic in the stomach of the Brown-stripe Snapper, L. vitta. The fish samples without microplastics ingestion differ significantly from fish with microplastics in the stomach. The fish samples without microplastics ingestion displayed a good and well-proportioned fish, while fish with microplastics is as a poor fish, long and thin. published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB
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