Papers

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Article Tier 2

The Assessment of the Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in Key Fish Species from the Bulgarian Aquatory of the Black Sea

Researchers found microplastics in the soft tissues of five commercially important Black Sea fish species collected off the Bulgarian coast, with polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer types. Pellets were the most common particle shape, found across all specimens regardless of species. The results indicate significant microplastic contamination in a major regional seafood source, raising concerns about the potential for plastics to move up the food chain and reach people who consume these fish.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Occurrence in Commercial Fish Species of the Black Sea

Researchers examined plastic ingestion in seven commercial fish species from the Black Sea and found plastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 29% of all individuals tested. Fibres were the most common type of plastic found, accounting for nearly 69% of all particles, with 93% being microplastics smaller than 5 mm. The study identified polypropylene, polyester, and acrylic as the most prevalent polymer types, indicating widespread microplastic contamination in Black Sea commercial fisheries.

2021 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57 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
Article Tier 2

Determination of Microplastic Pollution in Commercial Fish in the Middle Black Sea (Samsun), Türkiye

Researchers detected microplastics in six commercially important fish species from the Middle Black Sea Region, including rainbow trout, sea bass, sea bream, red mullet, horse mackerel, and whiting. MPs were found in multiple species, with polymer type and shape varying by species and habitat, reflecting differences in feeding behavior and habitat exposure.

2025 Toxics
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of abundance of microplastics in the Bulgarian coastal waters

This study assessed microplastic pollution in Bulgarian Black Sea coastal waters across different site types — protected, aquaculture, and industrial zones — providing one of the first quantitative datasets for this undermonitored region. The presence of microplastics in all areas, including protected sites, indicates that contamination is pervasive and that Black Sea marine organisms face widespread exposure to particles that can also carry adsorbed chemical pollutants.

2023 BIORISK – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Risk Assessment 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of four most consumed fish species in Giresun, the Southeastern Black Sea

Researchers examined four commonly eaten fish species from the Black Sea coast of Turkey and found microplastics in the digestive tracts of all four species. Bottom-dwelling fish had higher microplastic concentrations than surface-dwelling species, likely because microplastics settle and accumulate in sediments. Since these are popular commercial fish species, the findings underscore a direct route of microplastic exposure for seafood consumers in the region.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Ingestion of microplastics by commercial fish species from the southern Black Sea coast

Three commercial fish species from the Turkish Black Sea coast -- European anchovy, whiting, and red mullet -- were examined for microplastic ingestion, with plastics found in all three species and fibers being the dominant type. The study adds to regional evidence that microplastic contamination is widespread in commercially harvested Black Sea fish.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 55 citations
Article Tier 2

First Report of Microplastic Ingestion and Bioaccumulation in Commercially Valuable European Anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus, Linnaeus, 1758) from the Romanian Black Sea Coast

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in European anchovies from the Romanian Black Sea coast. They found that 88% of the fish contained microplastics, averaging about three plastic items per fish, which is the highest abundance reported for this species in the Black Sea. The study highlights growing concerns about microplastic accumulation in commercially important fish species and the potential for human dietary exposure.

2025 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Tissues (Brain, Gill, Muscle and Gastrointestinal) of Mullus barbatus and Alosa immaculata

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in the brain, gill, muscle, and gastrointestinal tissues of two commercial fish species from the Black Sea. They found microplastics present in all tissue types examined, with the gastrointestinal tract containing the highest amounts. The study raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption, since these particles can accumulate throughout the bodies of commercially important fish.

2021 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 134 citations
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

Microplastic accumulation in commercial fish from the Adriatic Sea

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in six commercial fish species from the Northern Adriatic Sea sold for human consumption. The study found that 47.8% of fish contained microplastics, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene fragments, which is particularly concerning because some of these species are consumed whole without being gutted.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 90 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, characteristics and distribution of microplastics in commercial marine fishes of the Bay of Bengal

Scientists found microplastics in the muscles, guts, and gills of six commercially important fish species from the Bay of Bengal, identifying over 7,000 particles total. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the most common types, and tuna had the highest contamination levels. Since these fish are widely consumed by people in the region, the findings highlight a direct dietary exposure pathway for microplastics to reach humans through seafood.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 19 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

Ecological risk assessment of microplastics and mesoplastics in six common fishes from the Bay of Bengal Coast

Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts and muscle tissue of six commonly eaten fish species from the Bay of Bengal, with fiber-shaped particles making up over 95% of what was found. This contamination in edible fish muscle tissue means that people who eat these species are likely ingesting microplastics directly.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 40 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

Assessing the bioaccumulation of microplastics in commercially important fish species

Researchers assessed microplastic accumulation in commercially important fish species from coastal and offshore waters, finding significant differences between species based on feeding strategies and habitat depth. Filter feeders and omnivorous species accumulated more microplastics than others, reflecting diet-based differences across trophic levels. The study raises concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through widely consumed seafood products.

2025 International Journal of Aquatic Research and Environmental Studies 1 citations
Article Tier 2

High microplastic pollution in marine sediments associated with urbanised areas along the SW Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in beach and seabed sediments along the southwestern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Urbanized coastal areas had significantly higher microplastic levels than non-urbanized areas, with seabed samples averaging over 800 particles per kilogram of dry sediment. The study identified sewage discharges, urban waste, fisheries, and marine litter accumulation as likely sources of the contamination.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and potential effects of plastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish from the North Sea and Baltic Sea

Researchers examined the occurrence and potential effects of plastic ingestion in pelagic and bottom-dwelling fish from the North Sea and Baltic Sea, finding plastics in both groups. The study contributed to baseline knowledge of microplastic ingestion rates in commercially important fish species in European seas.

2014 Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar-und Meeresforschung (Alfred-Wegener-Institut) 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of some edible fish species along the Turkish coast

Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 243 individual fish from five edible species along the Turkish coast, documenting the occurrence and characteristics of ingested microplastics. The study found microplastics present in multiple commercially important fish species, raising implications for seafood safety and human dietary exposure.

2020 TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 74 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Morocco's most consumed fisheries: Chemical characterization, ecological traits, and implications for human health

Researchers analyzed 240 fish from 12 of Morocco's most commonly consumed species and found microplastics in 100% of samples, with particles detected in the gills, gonads, and digestive tracts. The most common plastics were polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene, predominantly appearing as fragments and fibers smaller than 1 mm. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics and associated heavy metals through everyday seafood consumption.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and retention of microplastics in the digestive tracts of fish from the Yellow Sea

Researchers systematically characterized microplastics in 19 fish species from the Yellow Sea coast of China, finding plastic retention in 34% of individual fish sampled, with fibers dominating and significant variation in microplastic load by species and habitat.

2019 Environmental Pollution 138 citations
Article Tier 2

The accumulation of microplastics in fish from an important fish farm and mariculture area, Haizhou Bay, China

Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation in six wild fish species from Haizhou Bay, a major fish farm and mariculture area in China, examining both digestive and non-digestive tissues. They found microplastics present in all fish species, with variation in abundance depending on species and tissue type. The findings raise concerns about microplastic transfer through aquaculture supply chains and potential implications for seafood safety.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 273 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic occurrence in coastal waters and aquatic faunas of the Western Black Sea

Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence in coastal waters and aquatic fauna of the Western Black Sea region receiving Danube River inputs, characterizing MP distributions in a coastal ecosystem under pressure from tourism, fishing, regional conflicts, and inadequate waste disposal across the Danube basin.

2024
Article Tier 2

ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN THE BLACK SEA MUSSEL Mytilus galloprovincialis L., 1819

Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in the Black Sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from multiple sites along the Bulgarian coast. Microplastics were detected in all samples with fragment and fiber morphologies dominant, and differences in abundance were observed between sampling locations linked to proximity to human activities.

2022 Journal of IMAB - Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers) 12 citations