We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Prevalence of microplastic contamination in the digestive tract of fishes from mangrove ecosystem in Cispata, Colombian Caribbean
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists examined the digestive tracts of fish from mangrove ecosystems in Cispata, Colombian Caribbean, finding microplastics in multiple species and suggesting that mangrove habitats concentrate microplastic pollution in ways that expose fish inhabiting these nursery areas.
Plastics in Colombian marine-coastal ecosystems are being fragmented by various environmental factors, generating microplastics (size < 5 mm), an emerging pollutant that is ingested by marine organisms, representing a threat to ecosystems and potentially also to humans. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of microplastic ingestion by fishes from mangrove ecosystems in Cispata, Colombian Caribbean. The digestive tract content of 302 specimens of 22 fish species were analyzed using the KOH digestion method (500 g/5 L), stereoscopic visual identification and infrared spectroscopy. A total of 69 microplastics were found in the digestive tract of 7% of the analyzed fishes. 55% of the ingested microplastics were filaments, 23% fragments, 19% films, and 3% foam. The results of this study raised concerns about microplastic contamination in the marine environments, a threat to the fishery resource and to public health, which requires actions to prevent and reduce its negative effects.
More Papers Like This
Differential Presence of Microplastics and Mesoplastics in Coral Reef and Mangrove Fishes in Isla Grande, Colombia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that fish from mangrove ecosystems in the Colombian Caribbean contained higher levels of microplastics and mesoplastics than fish from coral reef environments, suggesting that habitat type significantly influences plastic ingestion rates in marine fish species.
Microplastics in the Digestive Tracts of Four Fish Species from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Estuary in Colombia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of four commercially sold fish species from a Colombian estuary, with polyester and polyethylene fibers being the most common types detected. This is the first evidence of microplastic ingestion in fish from Colombian coastal waters, raising concerns for both ecosystem health and human dietary exposure through seafood.
The pervasiveness of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tract of fish from the western coast of Bangladesh
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in every individual fish examined from the western coast of Bangladesh, with an average of 7.1 particles per specimen, and demersal species accumulating more microplastics than pelagic species near the world's largest mangrove ecosystem.
Presence of Microplastics in Macroinvertebrates of Mangroves in the Colombian Pacific: Are Feeding Behaviors Determinant for its Abundance?
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in every single shellfish and crab sample they tested from mangrove forests in Colombia, with an average of about 25 particles per animal. These particular species, cockles and crabs, are commonly eaten by local communities, meaning the plastic contamination in their environment could be making its way into the human food chain through seafood.
Differential accumulation of microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fish species of commercial and ecological importance in the Colombian Caribbean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the guts and gills of virtually every fish they tested from Colombia's Caribbean coast, including species people commonly eat. The plastics, likely from textiles, fishing gear, and packaging, were more abundant during rainy season and varied by fish species and size, suggesting that seafood in this region is widely contaminated with microplastics that could potentially make their way up the food chain to humans who eat fish.
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.