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Occurrence of plastic debris in the stomach of the invasive crab Eriocheir sinensis
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Researchers examined stomach contents of 302 Chinese mitten crabs from Baltic and Portuguese waters, finding microplastic strands and balls in 13% of individuals, mostly transparent fragments likely originating from fishing gear — raising concern for both crab health and human consumers who eat this commercially harvested species.
The Chinese mitten crab is known as a pest causing damage to fishing gears and fish. On the other hand, this highly invasive species is considered a delicacy by Asian migrants and therefore commercially fished and sold in many countries. The ingestion of plastic by the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis from the Baltic coastal waters (Poland) and the Tagus Estuary (Portugal) was studied based on stomach content analysis. As many as 13% of the 302 analysed males and females (38.07-89.07mm carapace width) from both regions, contained microplastic in the form of strands and balls. Most of them were transparent. Ingested plastic particles were identified as fragments of fishing gears. Contamination with plastic may have a negative impact on this species as well as on higher trophic levels feeding on crabs.
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This study found high rates of microplastic ingestion by both native shore crabs and invasive Chinese mitten crabs in the Thames Estuary, with over 80% of individuals containing plastic particles. The ubiquity of microplastic ingestion in these crab species, including an invasive species rapidly spreading through European waterways, highlights the pervasive nature of plastic contamination in urban estuaries.
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Researchers examined microplastic content in the stomach contents of Cronius ruber, an invasive crab species in Mediterranean waters, finding plastic particles — primarily fibers — in the animals. The presence of microplastics in invasive crab species adds to the evidence that plastic ingestion is widespread across marine crustaceans in contaminated coastal waters.
Assessing microplastic accumulation in the hepatopancreas of marine and freshwater crabs from the North-East Part of the Bay of Bengal
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Researchers compared microplastic contamination in the hepatopancreas of three edible crab species from the Bay of Bengal region, including two marine species and one freshwater species. They found that the freshwater crab had the highest microplastic counts, averaging nearly four particles per sample, and identified nine different polymer types across all species. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption in the region.
Microplastics in different tissues of wild crabs at three important fishing grounds in China
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in different tissues of four wild crab species from three major fishing grounds in China. They found microplastics present across crab tissues, with variations in abundance and characteristics depending on species and fishing location. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through the consumption of commercially important crab species.
The Contamination of Microplastic Debris in Blue Swimming Crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Artisanal Fisheries in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers collected blue swimming crabs from the Gulf of Thailand and found microplastics in 62.5% of external body parts and 72.2% of internal parts, with fibers dominating and gut tissue showing the highest contamination. The findings indicate widespread MP ingestion in commercially harvested crabs and potential food safety implications.
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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.