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Presence and characterization of microplastics in fish of commercial importance from the Biobío region in central Chile
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Six commercially important fish species from coastal and oceanic habitats in central Chile were analyzed for microplastics, with red microfibers (70–100% of particles) as the dominant form and polyester, PE, and PET as the main polymers, and coastal species showing higher abundance and larger fibers than oceanic species. The study documents microplastic contamination in Chilean commercial fisheries and a habitat-dependent difference in plastic burden.
In this study we have identified and characterized microplastic particles (MPs) found in six fish species of commercial importance in central Chile. The fish species belong to different trophic levels and were obtained from the oceanic and coastal habitats. To analyze MPs, the fish gastrointestinal content was extracted, analyzed and characterized using a microscopy equipped with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The MPs found in fish samples were mainly constituted by red microfibers (70-100%) with sizes ranging between 176 and 2842 μm. Polyester, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were identified as the prevalent polymers detected. The coastal species showed the presence of microfibers with a higher size and abundance (71%) compared to oceanic species (29%), suggesting there is a greater exposure risk. These findings are consistent with results found in other investigations worldwide. However, further research is still needed to accurately establish the potential exposure risk for the public consuming these fish and the impact of MPs in the Chilean fishery activities.
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Researchers quantified microplastic ingestion in ten commercially important fish species from southern New Zealand using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The study found that 75% of fish contained microplastics, with an average of 2.5 particles per fish, predominantly fibers in blue, black, and red colors, composed mainly of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate.
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Researchers assessed microfiber contamination in European anchovy and red mullet, two commercially important Mediterranean fish species. The study found microfibers in 53% of anchovies and 60% of red mullet, with an average of 6.9 and 9.2 microfibers per individual, respectively, composed of polymers including cellulose, cotton, and polyester. These findings confirm that fibrous microplastics are widespread in both pelagic and deep-sea food webs, with potential implications for seafood consumers.
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Researchers found microplastics in the stomachs and intestines of three commercially important fish species caught off the coast of Lima, Peru. The results confirm that microplastic ingestion is widespread among fish commonly consumed by humans in South American coastal communities.
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Researchers analyzed four commercially important fish species from two bays of contrasting human impact in southeastern Brazil, finding microplastics in 83.1% of individuals with blue microfibers predominating, and determined that anthropogenic pressure and summer seasonality — not habitat type or body size — were the strongest predictors of contamination levels.
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