Papers

61,005 results
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Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic Concentration in Mediterranean Commercial Fish: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines microplastic levels in five commercially important fish species caught in Mediterranean waters. The findings confirm that microplastics are routinely present in popular seafood, with concentrations varying by species and location, underscoring the need to monitor and reduce plastic contamination in fish that millions of people eat regularly.

2025 Microplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and ecological risk of microplastics in commercial fish species from northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Researchers examined nine commercially important fish species from the northeastern Mediterranean Sea and found microplastics in both their digestive tracts and gills. The most common particles were small polyethylene and polypropylene fibers, and bottom-dwelling fish species had higher contamination levels. While the ecological risk was rated low to medium, the presence of microplastics in widely consumed fish species highlights a potential pathway for human exposure through seafood.

2024 Environmental Pollution 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract and gill of bioindicator fish species in the northeastern Mediterranean

Four commercial fish species from the northeastern Mediterranean were examined for microplastic presence in gastrointestinal tracts and gills, with plastics found in all species and fiber being the most common type. The results add to growing evidence that microplastic ingestion is routine for commercially harvested Mediterranean fish.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Mediterranean Coastal Countries: A Recent Overview

This review summarized the current status of microplastic pollution in Mediterranean coastal countries, examining contamination levels in fish and other organisms and discussing risks to consumers through trophic transfer in the food chain.

2021 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Relationship between biological, ecological parameters and microplastic concentration in Mediterranean fish species

Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in five commercially important Mediterranean fish species -- including Mullus barbatus, Sardina pilchardus, and Trachinus draco -- and analyzed how biological parameters (length, weight) and ecological factors (diet, habitat) influenced microplastic contamination levels across species.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Study of the presence of macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach content of juvenile bluefin tunas and their diet in the Mediterranean Sea.

Researchers studied the occurrence of both macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach contents of juvenile Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea, examining how widespread plastic pollution in one of the world's most contaminated seas affects a commercially and ecologically important large predator.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in Commercial Fish in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Part 1: The Mediterranean Sea

This literature review covers studies from 2015 to 2021 on the presence of microplastics in commercially important fish species from the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most plastic-polluted water bodies in the world. It also synthesizes data on microplastic concentrations in Mediterranean beach sediments, subtidal sediments, seafloor sediment, and surface water.

2021 Journal of Water Resource and Protection 23 citations
Article Tier 2

A Biomarker Approach as Responses of Bioindicator Commercial Fish Species to Microplastic Ingestion: Assessing Tissue and Biochemical Relationships

Researchers assessed microplastic intake and antioxidant biomarker responses in three Mediterranean fish species, finding that microplastic ingestion correlated with oxidative stress indicators across red mullet, bogue, and anchovy populations.

2022 Biology 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in fillets of Mediterranean seafood. A risk assessment study

Researchers analyzed fillets of several common Mediterranean seafood species for microplastic contamination and estimated the associated human dietary exposure. They detected microplastics in the edible tissue of all species tested, including sardines, sea bream, and mussels. The study provides risk estimates suggesting that regular seafood consumption represents a notable pathway for human microplastic ingestion.

2021 Environmental Research 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics occurrence in edible fish species (Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius) collected in three different geographical sub-areas of the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 229 demersal fish from two Mediterranean species across three geographic sub-areas, finding microplastics in a significant portion of individuals with fibers as the dominant type. The study contributes to growing evidence that microplastic ingestion is widespread in commercially fished Mediterranean species.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics, polymers and additives in edible muscle of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers detected microplastics — ranging from 140 to 270 particles per kilogram of edible muscle — in swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea, with polypropylene being the most common polymer type in both species. This confirms that microplastic contamination has reached large, commercially important fish consumed by people across the region.

2023 Journal of Sea Research 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus

Researchers examined microplastic and anthropogenic particle contamination in the digestive tracts of European anchovies and sardines from Spanish waters, finding widespread ingestion of synthetic particles in these commercially important fish species.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Using Boops boops (osteichthyes) to assess microplastic ingestion in the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers assessed microplastic ingestion in 884 Boops boops fish caught at 20 coastal sites across Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, finding microplastics in 46.8% of individuals with an average of 1.17 items per fish, predominantly filaments composed of polyethylene and polypropylene.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic pollution in eleven commercial fish species in the Gulf of İzmir (Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean)

Researchers examined 152 fish from 11 commercially important species in the Gulf of Izmir, Turkey, and found microplastics in 42% of them. Polyethylene fragments and fibers were the most common types found in fish digestive tracts, with surface-dwelling fish species showing higher contamination than bottom-dwelling ones. Since these are species commonly sold and eaten by people in the region, the study highlights a direct pathway for microplastic exposure through seafood consumption.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of the presence of macroplastics and microplastics in the stomach content of juvenile bluefin tunas and their diet in the Mediterranean Sea.

Researchers examined microplastic and macroplastic ingestion in juvenile bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, 20-40 cm) captured in recreational fishing contests at multiple sites along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, studying 300 individuals to assess stomach contents and dietary interactions. The study represented the first investigation of microplastic ingestion and its relationship to prey diet in juvenile bluefin tuna, a commercially and ecologically important top predator.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

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

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.

2015 Marine Pollution Bulletin 586 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioindicators for monitoring marine litter ingestion and its impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity

Researchers reviewed existing knowledge of marine litter ingestion impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity and proposed a new integrated monitoring framework using bioindicator species, identifying major knowledge gaps in understudied habitats and sub-regions while outlining a threefold approach to simultaneously measure plastic presence and its sub-lethal effects on organisms.

2017 Environmental Pollution 338 citations
Article Tier 2

Ingestion of microplastics and natural fibres in Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) along the Spanish Mediterranean coast

Microplastics and natural fibers were found in the digestive tracts of European sardines and anchovies collected from 14 stations along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, with microplastics present in about 15% of individuals. The study documents widespread but variable microplastic ingestion in two commercially important small pelagic fish species that are key components of Mediterranean food webs and human diets.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 263 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus

Researchers examined the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) sampled along the continental shelf of Spain, finding bioaccumulation of particles across these commercially important fish species with implications for food web contamination and human health.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus

Researchers examined the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) sampled along the continental shelf of Spain, finding bioaccumulation of particles across these commercially important fish species with implications for food web contamination and human health.

2022
Article Tier 2

Detection of fibrous microplastics and natural microfibers in fish species (Engraulis encrasicolus, Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius) for human consumption from the Tyrrhenian sea

Scientists examined the gut contents of three popular fish species from the Tyrrhenian Sea sold in markets and found microfibers in all of them. While natural and artificial fibers were the most common, synthetic plastic fibers including polyester were also present. Since these are fish people regularly eat, the study highlights seafood as a pathway for human microplastic exposure and calls for better standardized methods to assess the risk.

2024 Chemosphere 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Marine Waste, Ingestion of Microplastic in the Fish, Impact on Fishing Yield, M’diq, Morocco

Researchers in Morocco evaluated microplastic ingestion in fish and its impact on fishing yield on the northern Mediterranean coast, finding that 10% of sampled fish had ingested microplastics. The study highlights both ecological and economic consequences of microplastic contamination in commercially important fish stocks.

2018 International Journal of Marine Biology and Research 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Research and characterization of fibrous microplastics and natural microfibers in pelagic and benthic fish species of commercial interest

Researchers assessed microfiber contamination in European anchovy and red mullet, two commercially important Mediterranean fish species. The study found microfibers in 53% of anchovies and 60% of red mullet, with an average of 6.9 and 9.2 microfibers per individual, respectively, composed of polymers including cellulose, cotton, and polyester. These findings confirm that fibrous microplastics are widespread in both pelagic and deep-sea food webs, with potential implications for seafood consumers.

2023 Italian Journal of Food Safety 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in commercial fish and their habitats in the important fishing ground of the Black Sea: Characteristic, concentration, and risk assessment

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in six commercial fish species from the Black Sea and found microplastics in all environmental areas studied, including surface water, the water column, sediments, and fish. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, and bottom-dwelling fish had higher contamination levels than fish living closer to the surface. Since these are commonly eaten fish species, the findings are relevant to human dietary exposure to microplastics.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 6 citations