Papers

61,005 results
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Meta Analysis Tier 1

A meta-analysis of the characterisations of plastic ingested by fish globally

This meta-analysis pools data from global studies to assess what types of plastic fish most commonly ingest, finding that microfibers and small fragments dominate across both freshwater and marine species. These findings are important for human health because widespread plastic ingestion by fish means that microplastics are likely present in much of the seafood consumed around the world.

2022
Meta Analysis Tier 1

A Meta-Analysis of the Characterisations of Plastic Ingested by Fish Globally

This meta-analysis examined what types of plastic fish are swallowing around the world. The findings show that fish most commonly ingest tiny microplastic fibers and fragments smaller than 1 millimeter. Since many of these fish species end up on our plates, this research raises important questions about how much microplastic we may be consuming through our seafood diet.

2022 Toxics 54 citations
Article Tier 2

What are the global patterns of microplastic ingestion by fish? A scientometric review

This review summarizes global research on microplastic ingestion by fish and finds that contamination is widespread across aquatic ecosystems, with fibers and fragments being the most commonly ingested shapes. The study highlights that fish higher on the food chain tend to accumulate more microplastics, which matters for human health since many of these species are commonly consumed as seafood.

2024 Environmental Pollution 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Global Review and Analysis of the Presence of Microplastics in Fish

This global review and meta-analysis compiled data on microplastic occurrence in fish from studies across dozens of countries, finding microplastics in fish from virtually all sampled regions with higher concentrations in coastal and urban-influenced waters. The analysis identified fibers and fragments as the most common forms, and raised concerns about human dietary exposure through fish consumption.

2022 Asian Fisheries Science 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Fish: A Comprehensive Review

This review synthesizes research on microplastics in fish, covering contamination sources, detection methods, and impacts on wild and farmed populations globally — and examining how plastic particles in fish tissues may transfer to humans through seafood consumption.

2025 Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
Systematic Review Tier 1

Global meta‐analysis reveals diverse effects of microplastics on freshwater and marine fishes

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effects of microplastics on fish in both freshwater and ocean environments. The findings show that microplastics reduce feeding, impair digestion, slow growth, and weaken immune function in fish, which is concerning because contaminated fish are a major food source for people worldwide.

2022 Fish and Fisheries 69 citations
Article Tier 2

Worldwide contamination of fish with microplastics: A brief global overview

A literature review from March 2019 to March 2020 synthesized worldwide data on microplastic contamination in fish, finding that a median of 60% of fish from 198 species across 24 countries contained microplastics in their organs. Carnivorous species ingested more microplastics than herbivores, consistent with trophic transfer and bioaccumulation through food webs.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 144 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence and consequences of microplastics and nanoplastics in fish gastrointestinal tract

This review examines the occurrence and consequences of microplastics and nanoplastics in fish gastrointestinal tracts across numerous species, focusing on bioaccumulation implications for human seafood consumers. Researchers found widespread microplastic ingestion documented in fish globally, raising concern given that seafood provides over 20% of dietary protein for approximately 1.4 billion people representing 19% of the global population.

2022 Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 3 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract of fishes: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and meta-regression

Fish globally averaged 2.76 microplastic particles per gastrointestinal tract, with fish from enclosed water bodies (lakes, estuaries) containing 2-4x more than those from open oceans, and fish from low-income economies harboring 5.5x more microplastics than those from high-income economies.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 86 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
Article Tier 2

Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

Researchers examined the gastrointestinal contents of demersal fish caught from Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and found microplastics in a notable proportion, with fiber and fragment types most common, suggesting widespread exposure for bottom-dwelling fish.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 588 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of microplastic prevalence and abundance in freshwater fish species: the effect of fish species habitat, feeding behavior, and Fulton’s condition factor

A meta-analysis of freshwater fish across 42 studies found an average of 2.35 microplastic items per individual, with 80% of research focused on the gastrointestinal tract and 58% on river environments. Contrary to expectations, microplastic ingestion correlated with fish body physiology (size and weight) rather than feeding behavior or habitat, suggesting physical characteristics determine uptake more than ecological niche.

2024 Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Threats of Microplastic Pollution on Fishes and its Implications on Human Health (Review Article)

This review summarizes research from 2010 to 2023 on microplastic contamination in fish and its potential implications for human health. Researchers found that microplastics are ingested by fish across diverse aquatic environments, with particles accumulating in the gastrointestinal tract and other tissues. The study highlights concerns that microplastic-contaminated seafood may represent a pathway for human exposure to both the plastic particles and associated chemical pollutants.

2024 Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characterization of microplastic content in the digestive system of riverine fishes

Researchers found microplastics in 93.8% of riverine fish examined, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon being the most common polymer types concentrated near urban and industrial areas, and small particles (0.025-1 mm) predominating across species.

2021 Journal of Environmental Management 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of the composition and abundance of microplastics in the digestive tract of fish in the Banjaran River, Banyumas District

Researchers identified and quantified microplastic composition and abundance in digestive tract contents of wild-caught fish from a coastal fishery, documenting ingestion rates, polymer types, and particle morphologies across multiple commercially important species.

2025 Acta Aquatica Aquatic Sciences Journal
Article Tier 2

Effect of biological and environmental factors on microplastic ingestion of commercial fish species

Researchers analyzed microplastic ingestion in commercially important fish species, evaluating how biological and environmental factors influence ingestion rates across 2,222 individual fish. The study assessed gastrointestinal tract contents to determine the extent and patterns of microplastic contamination. The findings suggest that both species-specific biology and environmental conditions play important roles in determining microplastic ingestion levels in commercial fish.

2022 Chemosphere 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Ingestion of microplastics by commercial fish off the Portuguese coast

Researchers examined the digestive tracts of commercial fish caught off the Portuguese coast and found microplastics — mainly fibers — in a substantial proportion of individuals across multiple species.

2015 Marine Pollution Bulletin 954 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)
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
Article Tier 2

Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

Researchers compiled data from studies covering over 171,000 individual fish across 555 species and found that plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing over time. A total of 386 species were documented to have ingested plastic debris, including 210 commercially important species. The study suggests that as plastic pollution grows, the proportion of marine fish species affected by plastic ingestion will continue to rise globally.

2021 Global Change Biology 265 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics in the fish gastrointestinal tract: A mini review and relevance to One Health perspective

Researchers reviewed how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in fish digestive systems and enter the broader food web, highlighting that the fish gut acts as a critical pathway for these particles — and the chemicals stuck to them — to travel from the environment into the human food supply.

2025 Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health 3 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review on Microplastic Contamination in Fishes of Asia: Polymeric Risk Assessment and Future Prospectives

This systematic review found widespread microplastic contamination in freshwater and saltwater fish across Asia, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common plastic types. Since fish is a major protein source for billions of people, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.

2024 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Impacts of Microplastics in Freshwater Fish

This review summarizes research on microplastic occurrence in freshwater fish across multiple regions, examining ingestion rates, polymer types, and potential health effects. The authors highlight that freshwater fish are widely exposed to microplastics and call for more standardized monitoring to assess risks to fish and to people who eat them.

2017 Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology 63 citations
Article Tier 2

MPs in fish species

Researchers compiled a global dataset of microplastic-contaminated fish species spanning thousands of species across six continents, integrating taxonomic, spatial, and ecological dimensions to provide a comprehensive resource for understanding the scope of microplastic ingestion in fish.

2025 Figshare