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Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercial fish caught from a natural estuarine environment and found microplastics in a significant proportion of individuals, documenting both occurrence rates and particle characteristics.
Microplastic ingestion has been reported for several marine species, but the level of contamination in transitional systems and associated biota is less known. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of microplastic ingestion in three commercial fish species: the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) and the flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the Mondego estuary (Portugal). Microplastics were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract of 120 individuals by visual inspection and digestion solution. A total of 157 particles were extracted from 38% of total fish (96% fibers), with 1.67 ± 0.27 (SD) microplastics per fish. Significantly higher amount of ingested microplastics was recorded for D. vulgaris (73%). The dominant polymers identified by μ-FTIR were polyester, polypropylene and rayon (semi-synthetic fiber). It is reported for the first time the presence of this pollutant in fish populations from the Mondego estuary raising concerns on their potential negative effects.
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Microplastics in Juvenile Commercial Fish from an Estuarine Environment
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Juvenile commercial fish from an estuarine environment were found to have ingested microplastics, demonstrating that plastic contamination affects fish at early life stages in transitional coastal ecosystems rather than only in open ocean habitats. Since estuaries serve as nurseries for many commercially important species, microplastic ingestion by juveniles threatens both fish population health and the safety of seafood reaching consumers.
Occurrence and characterization of microplastic content in the digestive system of riverine fishes
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Researchers found microplastics in 93.8% of riverine fish examined, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon being the most common polymer types concentrated near urban and industrial areas, and small particles (0.025-1 mm) predominating across species.
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Five commercially important marine fish species from the Pangempang Estuary in Indonesia were examined for microplastic ingestion, with particles found in the digestive organs of all species tested.
Pervasive Microplastic Ingestion by Commercial Fish Species from a Natural Lagoon Environment
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of commercial fish species from a natural lagoon environment. Microplastics were found across all species examined, with fiber morphotypes dominant and contamination levels reflecting the lagoon's proximity to human activity and plastic pollution sources.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in commercial fishes from estuarine areas of Guangdong, South China
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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.
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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.