We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The accumulation of microplastics in fish from an important fish farm and mariculture area, Haizhou Bay, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation in six wild fish species from Haizhou Bay, a major fish farm and mariculture area in China, examining both digestive and non-digestive tissues. They found microplastics present in all fish species, with variation in abundance depending on species and tissue type. The findings raise concerns about microplastic transfer through aquaculture supply chains and potential implications for seafood safety.
Marine fisheries and aquaculture can match growing demand for marine protein from an increasing population. However, the microplastics (MPs) in marine environments may pose a threat to human health through food chains by seafood consumption. The MPs have been found lodged in the digestive tracts and other tissues of various sea animals, nevertheless, little is known in regard to the accumulation of MPs in fish from major fish farms and mariculture areas, especially in non-digestive tissues of fishes. This study investigated the accumulation of MPs in six major wild fish species (including Thryssa kammalensis, Amblychaeturichthys hexanema, Odontamblyopus rubicundus, Cynoglossus semilaevis, Chaeturichthys stigmatias and Collichthys lucidus), both in digestive and non-digestive tissues, from an important fish farm and mariculture area, Haizhou Bay, China. All fishes had items that were identified as MPs. The highest abundance of MPs was 22.21±1.70items/individual or 11.19±1.28items/g in T. kammalensis, which is filter-feeding and usually inhabits in estuary. The lowest abundance of MPs was observed in C. semilaevis (13.54±2.09items/individual) and C. stigmatias (1.61±0.56items/g). The abundance of MPs exponentially increased with the decrease of MPs size. The MPs were dominated by fiber in shape, black or grey in colour and cellophane in composition. As to different tissues, the total number of MPs on skin (800) or in gills (746) was higher than that in gut (514). In terms of skin, the abundances of MPs in three species of scaleless fish with mucus (A. hexanema, C. stigmatias and O. rubicundus) were generally higher than other three fishes with scales (C. lucidus, C. semilaevis and T. kammalensis), implying the potential high risk of scaleless fish consumption for human health in Haizhou Bay. More in-depth studies need to focus on the scaleless fish through mucus adsorbing enormous MPs.
More Papers Like This
Accumulation of microplastics in typical commercial aquatic species: A case study at a productive aquaculture site in China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic accumulation in commercial fish, bivalves, and shrimp at an intensive aquaculture site in Xiangshan Bay, China. They found microplastics in all species sampled, mostly cellulose and polypropylene fibers, with aquaculture activities contributing to sediment contamination. However, the overall accumulation levels in the seafood were relatively low, suggesting that microplastics may not substantially increase health risks from consuming these species at this site.
Microplastic pollution in the environment and organisms of Xiangshan Bay, East China Sea: An area of intensive mariculture
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across water, sediment, and marine organisms in Xiangshan Bay, a major mariculture area in China, finding that intensive aquaculture in the enclosed inner bay concentrated microplastics and that fish ingested more particles than other organisms.
Ingestion and accumulation of microplastics in small marine fish and potential human exposure: case study of Binh Dinh, Vietnam
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation in five small marine fish species commonly consumed by coastal communities in Binh Dinh, Vietnam. They found microplastics present in fish from all sampling sites, with seasonal and species-level variation in contamination levels. The study estimates potential human dietary exposure to microplastics through fish consumption and raises food safety concerns for coastal populations relying on local seafood.
Characteristics and retention of microplastics in the digestive tracts of fish from the Yellow Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically characterized microplastics in 19 fish species from the Yellow Sea coast of China, finding plastic retention in 34% of individual fish sampled, with fibers dominating and significant variation in microplastic load by species and habitat.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in commercial fishes from estuarine areas of Guangdong, South China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed the abundance, characteristics, and spatial distribution of microplastics in six commercial fish species from estuarine areas of Guangdong, South China, providing quantitative data on microplastic ingestion in fish from one of China's most plastic-polluted coastal regions.
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.