We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Post-harvest pathways of microplastic contamination in commercially valuable fish from processing centers along the Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India
Summary
Researchers found that microplastic contamination nearly doubles in fish during traditional sun-drying processing along India's Gulf of Mannar coast, with curing salt, airborne fallout, and processing-area soil collectively explaining over 85% of the variance in dried fish MP loads. Estimated adult dietary exposure reached approximately 170,000 microplastics per year, with dried fish contributing 44% despite lower consumption frequency.
Contamination of seafood with microplastics (MPs) poses a threat to food safety and public health, particularly in coastal regions where dried fish is a dietary staple. This study assessed MP contamination in fresh and sun-dried fish collected from processing centers along the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, and evaluated potential post-harvest contamination sources, including curing salt, rinse water, processing-area soil, and airborne fallout. MPs were detected in all samples. Dried fish muscle contained significantly higher MP loads (7.25 ± 1.36 items g⁻1) than fresh fish (3.67 ± 1.04 items g⁻1), indicating substantial contamination during processing. Spearman correlation and principal component analysis revealed strong associations between MP levels in dried fish and curing salt (ρ = 0.99), airborne fallout (ρ = 0.97), and processing-area soil (ρ = 1.00), with these factors jointly explaining over 85% of the total variance. PERMANOVA further confirmed that processing centers accounted for 48% of the variance in MP loads in dried fish, compared with only 12% attributable to species identity. Source apportionment analysis indicated proportional contributions from curing salt (38%), airborne fallout (27%), and processing-area soil (20%). Fibers dominated MP morphology (62% in dried fish), while polymer and color profiles suggested inputs from ambient air, packaging materials, plastic trays, and salt. Based on FAO/WHO seafood consumption models, estimated adult exposure was 170,820 MPs year⁻1, with dried fish contributing 44% (75,400 MPs year⁻1) despite lower consumption frequency. These findings highlight the need for improved hygiene in traditional fish processing to reduce dietary MP exposure.