Ingestion of microplastics by anchovies from east Lombok Harbour, Lombok Island, Indonesia

Microplastics (MPs) on the contaminated ocean are highly bioavailable for pelagic fish like anchovies, yet reported on contaminated anchovies from Indonesia is lacking. Here, we have investigated microplastics in digestive tracts of anchovies (Stolephorus spp.) sampled (n = 15) from East Lombok harbour. Total microplastics from contaminated anchovies is 88 ±2.89 particles/individual. Microplastics are detected in different size of range: <20 µm, 20-50 µm, 50-500 µm, 500-1000 µm, and >1000 µm. Most of microplastics shapes are fibre (51%) and film (30%). Polymers types are confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as polypropylene, polystyrene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, thermoplastic polyester and foamed polystyrene nylon. Our findings reported that 50-500 µm size is the vast majority of microplastics which are ingested by anchovies. Anchovies are commercials foods and low-tropic level organisms which are supplied as foods for the higher taxa. Human exposure is possible by contaminated seafood diet.