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Ingestion of plastic by fish: A comparison of Thames Estuary and Firth of Clyde populations.
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Alimentary canals of 876 fish from 21 estuarine species in the Thames Estuary and Firth of Clyde were examined for ingested plastic. Overall 32% of organisms had ingested plastic, with fibers making up 88% of particles, highlighting widespread plastic ingestion across both pelagic and benthic fish in UK coastal waters.
This study compared plastic ingestion between pelagic and benthic fish populations from two UK watersheds: the Thames Estuary and the Firth of Clyde. The alimentary canals of 876 individuals were examined. Of twenty-one estuarine species investigated, fourteen ingested plastics, including predator (fish) and prey (shrimp) species. Overall, 32% of organisms ingested plastic, mostly fibres (88% of total plastics). More flatfish (38%) ingested plastics than other benthic species (17%). In the Thames, more plastic was ingested by pelagic species (average number of plastic pieces ingested: 3.2) and flatfish (average number of plastic pieces ingested: 2.9) than by shrimp (average number of plastic pieces ingested: 1). More fish from the Clyde ingested plastic than similar Thames species (39% compared to 28% respectively); however, the average amount of plastic ingested did not differ between the sites.
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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.