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Quantification of microplastic ingestion by the decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus from Irish waters
Summary
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in 150 Norway lobsters collected from five Irish fishing grounds. About 69% of the animals had ingested microplastics, averaging 1.75 items per individual, with fibers accounting for 98% of particles found. The study estimates that human exposure to microplastics through Irish seafood consumption could range from 15 to 4,471 particles per year.
Microplastics are widespread pollutants in the marine environment, yet few studies have assessed the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commercial species. This study evaluates the presence of ingested microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of Nephrops norvegicus (n = 150), collected from five Irish prawn grounds. The efficiency of three digesting solutions was assessed. The most efficient digestion was the KOH (10%) solution incubated at 40 °C for a 48 h period. An average of 1.75 ± 2.01 items per individual was ingested by c. 69% of N. norvegicus examined. A total of 262 microplastic, predominantly fibres (98%), between 1 and 2 mm were recorded. Although, no spatial pattern was identified, samples from the North Irish Sea recorded highest occurrence of microplastics (~83%). A positive correlation was found between microplastic abundance and prawn carapace condition. Results indicate microplastic exposure in seafood for human consumption, in Ireland, is estimated to range from 15 to 4471 particles per year.