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Microplastics in marine sediments and rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) from selected coastal areas of Negros Oriental, Philippines
Summary
Researchers conducted the first study of microplastics in an edible finfish in the Philippines, examining rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) from coastal areas of Negros Oriental and finding the highest polymer diversity in fish from the densely populated city of Dumaguete. Sediment samples were dominated by rayon microfibers from textiles, while fish guts contained different polymer types reflecting the distinct feeding habitats of this species.
The Philippines is currently ranked as the third top producer of plastic wastes, yet little research has been conducted on marine plastic pollution in this fishery-dependent, developing country. This study is the first in the nation to quantify and characterize microplastics ingested by a commercially important fish, the rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens), in the coastal areas of Negros Oriental, central Philippines. Across all sites, the diversity of microplastic polymer types was highest in the guts of S. fuscescens from Dumaguete, a densely populated city. Microplastic particles extracted from subtidal sediment samples from Silliman Beach in Dumaguete were dominated by semi-synthetic microfibers (rayon), probably from clothing and textiles. However, these microplastic types were absent in the guts of fish, likely due to the different location and character of their feeding habitats. This study confirms for the first time the presence and diversity of microplastics in an edible finfish in the Philippines.