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Microplastic in the gastrointestinal tract of fishes along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 178 fish from 26 species along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast and found microplastic fragments in multiple species, predominantly as films and fishing thread. The most common polymers identified were polypropylene and polyethylene, indicating that microplastic ingestion by fish is occurring across diverse habitats in the Red Sea.
This study assesses the presence of microplastic litter in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract of 26 commercial and non-commercial fish species from four difference habitats sampled along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea. A total of 178 individual were examined for microplastics. In total, 26 microplastic fragments were found. Of these, 16 being films (61.5%) and 10 being fishing thread (38.5%). FTIR analysis revealed that the most abundant polymers were polypropylene and polyethylene. Parascolosps eriomma species sampled at Jazan registered the highest number of ingested microplastic. This fish species is benthic and feeds on benthic invertebrates. Although differences in the abundance of microplastic ingestion among species were not statistically significant, a significant change was observed when the level of ingestion of microplastics particles was compared among the habitats. The higher abundance of microplastics particles may be related to the habitats of fish and the presence of microplastics debris near the seabed. The results of this study represent a first evidence that microplastic pollution represents an emerging threat to Red Sea fishes, their food web and human consumers.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.