0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2015 586 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Pietro Battaglia, Pietro Battaglia, Cristina Pedà, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Cristina Pedà, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo, Cristina Pedà, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Pierpaolo Consoli, Franco Andaloro, Pierpaolo Consoli, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Pietro Battaglia, Pietro Battaglia, María Cristina Fossi Pietro Battaglia, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi Franco Andaloro, Pietro Battaglia, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Pierpaolo Consoli, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Pietro Battaglia, Pierpaolo Consoli, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Pierpaolo Consoli, Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Franco Andaloro, María Cristina Fossi Teresa Romeo, Teresa Romeo, María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi María Cristina Fossi

Summary

Researchers examined stomach contents of large predatory fish including swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea and found plastic debris in about 18% of the specimens. The ingested plastics ranged from tiny microplastics to large fragments, and were primarily polyethylene and polyester. This is the first study documenting plastic ingestion in large pelagic Mediterranean fish, suggesting that even top ocean predators are exposed to plastic pollution.

Body Systems

This study focuses, for the first time, on the presence of plastic debris in the stomach contents of large pelagic fish (Xiphias gladius, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus alalunga) caught in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2013. Results highlighted the ingestion of plastics in the 18.2% of samples. The plastics ingested were microplastics (<5mm), mesoplastics (5-25mm) and macroplastics (>25mm). These preliminary results represent an important initial phase in exploring two main ecotoxicological aspects: (a) the assessment of the presence and impact of plastic debris on these large pelagic fish, and (b) the potential effects related to the transfer of contaminants on human health.

Sign in to start a discussion.

Share this paper