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Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: Preliminary study and first evidence
Summary
Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of wild gudgeons caught from multiple French rivers, with 12% of individuals contaminated. This field study confirms that freshwater fish in European rivers are exposed to real-world microplastic contamination through their natural foraging behavior.
Marine ecosystem contamination by microplastics is extensively documented. However few data is available on the contamination of continental water bodies and associated fauna. The aim of this study was to address the occurrence of microplastics in digestive tract of gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers. These investigations confirm that continental fish ingested microplastics while 12% of collected fish are contaminated by these small particles. Further works are needed to evaluate the occurence of this contamination.
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