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Plastic Particle Ingestion by Wild Freshwater Fish: A Critical Review
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This critical review synthesized data from studies of plastic particle ingestion by wild freshwater fish globally, examining methodological differences and drawing conclusions about the scale and consistency of the problem. The review found ingestion to be widespread across species and geographies but highlighted significant methodological inconsistencies that complicate cross-study comparisons.
Plastic pollution, especially microplastics (MP) pollution, is a hot topic in both mainstream media and scientific literature. Although rivers are potentially the major transport pathway of this pollution to the sea, plastic contamination in freshwater bodies is comparatively understudied. Microplastic pollution in freshwater fish is of growing interest, and while few studies exist, discrepancies do occur in the sampling, extraction, and identification of MP and in the expression of the results. Even though those differences hamper comparisons between some studies, a comparative work has been performed to identify the factors influencing MP ingestion by fish and consequently to target potential ecological traits that can be used to monitor species. Monitoring plastic ingested by fish will give relevant ecological information on MP pollution. This review focuses on MP ingestion by wild freshwater and estuarine fish. In addition to providing an overview of the existing data concerning contamination levels in wild freshwater fish, we aimed to (1) propose several overall recommendations on the methodologies applicable to all biota, (2) compare MP contamination levels in fish and in their environment, and (3) determine which parameters could help to define fish species for monitoring.
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Microplastics in Freshwater Biota: A Critical Review of Isolation, Characterization, and Assessment Methods
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This critical review examined methodological challenges in isolating, characterizing, and assessing microplastics in freshwater biota, identifying key gaps in standardization that limit comparability across studies and impede understanding of microplastic ingestion, translocation, and trophic transfer in freshwater ecosystems.
Occurrence and Impacts of Microplastics in Freshwater Fish
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This review summarizes research on microplastic occurrence in freshwater fish across multiple regions, examining ingestion rates, polymer types, and potential health effects. The authors highlight that freshwater fish are widely exposed to microplastics and call for more standardized monitoring to assess risks to fish and to people who eat them.
Microplastics Contamination in Freshwater Fish – a Review
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Researchers reviewed what is known about microplastic contamination in freshwater fish and found that fish ingest particles through their gut, gills, and skin, with the particles then distributing throughout body tissues and potentially reaching humans through seafood consumption — though inconsistent sampling methods make it difficult to compare findings across studies.
A meta-analysis of the characterisations of plastic ingested by fish globally
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This meta-analysis pools data from global studies to assess what types of plastic fish most commonly ingest, finding that microfibers and small fragments dominate across both freshwater and marine species. These findings are important for human health because widespread plastic ingestion by fish means that microplastics are likely present in much of the seafood consumed around the world.
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