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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Endangered, exploited glass eels (Anguilla anguilla) with critical levels of heavy metals and microplastics reveal both shipping and plastic spill threats
ClearMicroplastics across biomes in diadromous species. Insights from the critically endangered Anguilla anguilla
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in young European eels across freshwater and marine environments, finding these critically endangered diadromous fish are exposed to microplastic contamination in both habitats throughout their life cycle.
Low microplastic loads in riverine European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from southwest England during their marine–freshwater transition
This study found very low levels of microplastic contamination in juvenile European eels (elvers) from three rivers in southwest England, with only 3.3% of individuals carrying particles. While contamination levels were low, the results establish a baseline for monitoring trends in this critically endangered migratory fish species.
Molecular responses to pollution stress in glass eels (Anguilla anguilla): Gene expression changes associated with varying contamination levels and temperature across estuaries
Researchers measured gene expression in European eel glass eels entering estuaries with varying levels of microplastic and heavy metal contamination, finding that pollution and temperature shifts alter stress-response and metabolic gene expression in ways that may impair survival.
Microplastics increase mercury bioconcentration in gills and bioaccumulation in the liver, and cause oxidative stress and damage in Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles
Researchers exposed juvenile European sea bass to mercury, microplastics, and their mixture for 96 hours and found that microplastics increased mercury bioconcentration in gills and bioaccumulation in the liver. The combination of microplastics and mercury also caused greater oxidative stress and lipid damage than either contaminant alone, suggesting microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants.
Bisphenol A and its analogs in muscle and liver of fish from the North East Atlantic Ocean in relation to microplastic contamination. Exposure and risk to human consumers
Researchers measured levels of bisphenol A and related compounds in the muscle and liver of three fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean and assessed the relationship with microplastic contamination. Fish containing microplastics had significantly higher concentrations of bisphenols than those without, suggesting microplastics may be a vehicle for chemical contamination. The estimated health risk from consuming these fish exceeded safety thresholds set by the European Food Safety Authority.
Accumulation of chemical elements and occurrence of microplastics in small pelagic fish from a neritic environment
Researchers examined chemical element accumulation and microplastic occurrence in small pelagic fish from coastal waters, contributing baseline data on contaminant exposure in mid-trophic level species that are often overlooked in pollution assessments.
Important questions to progress science and sustainable management of anguillid eels
A team of 30 eel experts reviewed the current state of knowledge about anguillid eels worldwide and identified critical research gaps across their lifecycle, the threats they face, and management strategies. The study notes that pollution, including microplastics, is among the many threats contributing to population declines in these ecologically important fish. Researchers emphasize that without better international coordination and adaptive management, the outlook for many eel species remains concerning.
A case study on microlitter and chemical contaminants: Assessing biological effects in the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic sea) using the mussel Mytilus trossulus as a bioindicator
Researchers used mussels as bioindicators to assess chemical and microplastic pollution across three Estonian Baltic Sea coastal sites, finding that cadmium and polybrominated diphenyl ethers exceeded environmental thresholds at all sites, acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited at the most contaminated harbour, and natural cellulose microfibers outnumbered synthetic microplastics in mussel tissues.
Exploring synergistic contamination of heavy metals and microplastics in marine edible fishes and associated risk status in humans
Researchers assessed heavy metal and microplastic contamination in multiple marine fish species along the Gujarat coastline and found substantial spatial and interspecies variation. Some species exceeded safe metal thresholds, and MP contamination was prevalent, with combined exposure posing amplified health risks for local consumers.
Environmental risk assessment of heavy metals and microplastics in marine biota along Gujarat coastline, India
Researchers assessed environmental risks from both heavy metals and microplastics in marine organisms collected along the Gujarat coastline in India, measuring contamination levels in multiple species. Combined contamination elevated ecological risk indices above safe thresholds at several coastal sites.
First report on microplastics ingestion in the Critically Endangered spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (Elasmobranchii, Gymnuridae) from a Southwestern Atlantic estuary
This study provided the first report of microplastic ingestion in the critically endangered spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) from a Southwestern Atlantic estuary. All examined rays contained microplastics, predominantly fibers, establishing this threatened elasmobranch species as a sentinel organism for coastal microplastic contamination in South American waters.
Impact of polypropylene microplastics and chemical pollutants on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) gut microbiota and health
Researchers investigated how polypropylene microplastics, alone and combined with chemical pollutants, affect the gut health and microbiome of European sea bass. They found that microplastic ingestion altered the gut microbial community composition and that combined exposure with pollutants amplified the harmful effects. The study suggests that microplastics may serve as carriers for toxic chemicals, compounding their impact on fish health and potentially affecting seafood safety.
Microplastics and heavy metals in freshwater fish: A comprehensive study of contamination and health risks
Researchers simultaneously assessed microplastic and heavy metal contamination in two fish species from Iran's Kashkan River, finding microplastics in 79% of the 48 specimens examined. The study also found heavy metal levels that exceeded safe limits, raising human health concerns for communities consuming these fish.
A multiple biomarker approach to understand the effects of microplastics on the health status of European seabass farmed in earthen ponds on the NE Atlantic coast
Researchers studied European seabass farmed in earthen ponds to understand how microplastic exposure relates to fish health. Using multiple biomarkers including blood chemistry, immune response, and tissue analysis, they found measurable biological changes linked to microplastic levels in the fish. The findings raise concerns about seafood quality from aquaculture systems that are exposed to environmental microplastic contamination.
Additive effects of microplastics on accumulation and toxicity of cadmium in male zebrafish
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene microplastics and cadmium, both individually and in combination, for 21 days. They found that microplastics and cadmium together produced additive toxic effects, increasing cadmium accumulation in fish tissues, altering behavior, and causing more severe organ damage. The study suggests that microplastics in contaminated waterways may worsen the harmful effects of heavy metals on aquatic life.
Tracing microplastics in marine fish: Ecological threats and human exposure in the Bay of Bengal
Researchers analyzed microplastics in nine fish species from the Bay of Bengal, finding an average of about 33 microplastic items per fish, mostly fibers. Bottom-dwelling and meat-eating fish had higher contamination levels, and the pollution was linked to untreated industrial and municipal waste. The study raises concerns about human health exposure through seafood consumption in a region where millions of people depend on fishing for food and livelihood.
A global synthesis of microplastic contamination in wild fish species: Challenges for conservation, implications for sustainability of wild fish stocks and future directions
Researchers conducted a global synthesis analyzing 260 field studies covering over 1,000 fish species and found that microplastics have been recorded in 830 wild fish species, including 606 species important to commercial fisheries. Among the affected species, 34 are classified as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. The study highlights that microplastic contamination is widespread across wild fish populations, with implications for both conservation and food safety.
Water environmental capacity of estuarine microplastics capped by species sensitivity threshold
Researchers calculated water environmental capacity limits for microplastics in estuaries using species sensitivity distributions, establishing ecologically protective threshold concentrations that could inform regulatory standards for MP levels in these biologically rich transition zones between rivers and seas.
Microplastics cause neurotoxicity, oxidative damage and energy-related changes and interact with the bioaccumulation of mercury in the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Researchers studied the toxic effects of microplastics and mercury, both alone and in combination, on European seabass, a fish commonly consumed by humans. They found that both substances caused brain damage, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism disruption, but the combination produced particularly severe effects. Evidence indicates that microplastics interact with mercury accumulation in fish tissues, suggesting these pollutants may amplify each other's harmful impacts.
Are mussels accumulating trace metals and microplastics in port facilities?
Mediterranean mussels deployed at port facilities in Spain were analyzed for trace metals and microplastics, finding elevated contamination compared to reference sites, with both contaminant types reflecting local shipping and maintenance activities as pollution sources.