Papers

61,005 results
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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

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
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review of Microplastic Contamination in Commercially Important Bony Fish and Its Implications for Health

This systematic review examines microplastic contamination levels in commercially important fish species and the potential health impacts. The findings reveal that microplastics are commonly found in fish consumed by humans, raising concerns about chronic exposure through seafood and the possibility that these particles carry harmful chemicals into our bodies.

2024 OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
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 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
Review Tier 2

A review of microplastic pollution in commercial fish for human consumption

This review examined microplastic contamination in commercial fish muscle consumed by humans worldwide. Researchers found that microplastics were present in 56.5% of the fish samples analyzed, with contamination levels ranging from 0.016 to 6.06 items per gram of muscle tissue, raising concerns about long-term dietary exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption.

2021 Reviews on Environmental Health 73 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

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

Fish as a Bioindicator of Microplastic Contamination in the Mediterranean Sea: State of Knowledge

This review examines the use of fish species as bioindicators of microplastic contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. The analysis found that increasing microplastic pollution would further threaten already-stressed fishery stocks in the region. Researchers recommend prioritizing studies on the most consumed Mediterranean fish species, such as sardine, anchovy, and bluefin tuna, which have been reported to be highly contaminated by microplastics.

2024 2 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

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
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastics ingestion by marine fauna with a particular focus on commercial species: a systematic review

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines microplastic ingestion across marine species, with a focus on commercially important seafood. The researchers found that microplastic contamination is widespread in fish, shellfish, and other marine animals that end up on our dinner plates. This matters for human health because we may be consuming these particles every time we eat seafood.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 25 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review of Microplastic Contamination in Commercially Important Bony Fish and Its Implications for Health

This systematic review summarizes research on microplastic contamination found in commercially important fish species. The findings show that microplastics cause physical injuries and false satiety in fish, and may pose health risks to humans who eat contaminated seafood, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage.

2024 Environments 5 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis is the first to systematically quantify microplastic contamination in seafood sold for human consumption. The findings confirm that people are regularly ingesting microplastics through seafood, underscoring the need for action to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and better understand the health effects of this exposure.

2020 Environmental Health Perspectives 258 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

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 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

Occurrence, distribution and characteristics of microplastics in gastrointestinal tract and gills of commercial marine fish from Malaysia

Researchers examined 158 commercial marine fish from 16 species in Malaysia and found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of all species studied. Fibers were the most common microplastic type, and the contamination levels varied between sampling locations. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastics are widespread in commercially important fish species, raising questions about the potential for human exposure through seafood consumption.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 140 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in commercial fish from Alexandria City, the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Researchers found microplastic contamination in commercial fish samples from Alexandria City markets on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, with MPs detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple species. The study assessed potential human dietary exposure from consuming fish that had ingested plastic particles in the heavily polluted Eastern Mediterranean.

2022 Environmental Pollution 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and distribution of environmental microplastic in edible fish and mussels from the south Mediterranean coasts

Scientists found microplastics in every fish and mussel sample examined from the Algerian Mediterranean coast, with six common plastic types identified including polypropylene and polyethylene. The contaminated species are widely consumed by local populations. This study adds to growing evidence that people eating seafood are regularly exposed to microplastics, and helps establish baseline pollution data for an understudied region.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in commercially important seafood species, characterizing particle morphology and polymer composition across species. The study found microplastics in all species sampled, with differences in contamination levels linked to feeding ecology and habitat.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

A Hazard Index of Microplastics Contamination in Commercial Marine Fish Species and Mussels in the Southern Marmara Sea, Turkey

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in five commercially important fish species and Mediterranean mussels from the southern Marmara Sea in Turkey. They found microplastics in all species examined, with varying levels of contamination across different collection sites, and calculated hazard indices to estimate potential risks. The study provides evidence that seafood consumers in the region may face meaningful dietary exposure to microplastics.

2025 Aquaculture Research 2 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Geographical and ecological factors affect microplastic body burden in marine fish at global scale

This systematic review analyzed microplastic levels found in marine fish worldwide and identified key factors driving contamination. Fish from areas with heavy human activity contained more microplastics, and since many of these species are eaten by people, this contamination represents a direct route of human exposure through seafood.

2024 Environmental Pollution 18 citations