Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in freshwater fish: first insights from the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand

Researchers found microplastics in 100% of 89 fish gastrointestinal tracts sampled from the Mekong River in Thailand, averaging 23.76 items per individual, with fragments being the dominant shape (83%), particles under 100 µm the most common size, and 17 polymer types identified across species.

2025 Ecologica Montenegrina
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in commercial fish digestive tracts from freshwater habitats in Northern Thailand

Researchers examined the digestive tracts of commercial freshwater fish species from Northern Thailand and found microplastics present in all species studied. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic detected, followed by fragments, with varying abundances depending on the fish species and habitat. The findings raise awareness about microplastic contamination in Thai freshwater fish and the potential for human dietary exposure.

2023 Ecologica Montenegrina 17 citations
Article Tier 2

The accumulation of microplastics in fish freshwater in the Mun river, Thailand

Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in freshwater fish from the Mun River in Thailand, finding plastic particles in the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple fish species. Fiber-shaped microplastics were the most commonly ingested type, likely originating from textile and domestic waste sources. The findings highlight the potential for human dietary exposure to microplastics through consumption of freshwater fish that are widely eaten throughout Southeast Asia.

2024 International Journal of Public Health Asia Pacific (IJPHAP) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of Microplastic in Selected Freshwater Fish Species from Agriculture Fishpond in Tanjong Karang, Selangor, Malaysia

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in twelve freshwater fish species from aquaculture fishponds in Tanjong Karang, Selangor, Malaysia, using visual examination of gastrointestinal tract contents. Microplastics were detected in 29.2% of fish samples, with prevalence varying by feeding zone, a rate higher than previously documented in comparable regional studies.

2023 5 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

Presence and Characterization of Microplastics in Coastal Fish around the Eastern Coast of Thailand

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 274 fish from Thailand's eastern coast and found that about 13% of specimens had ingested microplastics, predominantly PET fibers. Pelagic species showed slightly higher microplastic ingestion rates than bottom-dwelling species, though overall the contamination was relatively low compared to global averages. The study suggests that fish feeding behavior and habitat influence their exposure to microplastic pollution.

2021 Sustainability 51 citations
Article Tier 2

First Evidence of Microplastics Ingestion by Freshwater Fishes from Nong Luang Wetland (Chiang Rai, Thailand)

Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic ingestion by freshwater fish in Nong Luang Wetland, Chiang Rai, Thailand, examining gastrointestinal tracts of 100 specimens across 15 species from 8 families. The study identified microplastics in fish from this understudied freshwater ecosystem, expanding knowledge of MP contamination beyond marine environments in Southeast Asia.

2023 Sains Malaysiana 3 citations
Article Tier 2

First Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Riverine Fish From the Freshwater of Northwest Peninsular Malaysia

Researchers found microplastics in the guts of multiple fish species from two rivers in northwest Malaysia, with some species averaging nearly 50 microplastic particles per gram of body weight. The dominant particles were fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene — findings that signal widespread contamination of freshwater food sources and raise concerns about human exposure through fish consumption.

2024 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics and variation of microplastics in different freshwater fish species from Bangladesh

Researchers examined 48 freshwater fish from 18 species in Bangladesh and found microplastics in the digestive tracts of over 73% of the fish studied. Fibers were the most common shape, and the plastics were primarily polyethylene and polypropylene-based polymers. Bottom-dwelling fish contained more microplastics than those living higher in the water column, suggesting that contaminated sediments are a significant source of exposure for freshwater species.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 220 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics, and risk assessment of microplastics in indigenous freshwater fishes of India

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in five widely consumed freshwater fish species from India and found plastic particles in all specimens, with fibers being the most dominant type. Evidence of microplastics in edible fish tissue indicates translocation from the gut, suggesting a pathway for human exposure through consumption. Risk assessment showed that while microplastic abundance posed a low quantitative risk, the polymer types identified indicated a high hazard potential for the fish species studied.

2022 Environmental Research 48 citations
Article Tier 2

Surveillance and histopathological study of microplastics in marine fish from the gulf of Thailand

Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of 46.9% of marine fish sampled from the upper Gulf of Thailand, with an average of 1.6 particles per fish. Bottom-dwelling fish had higher contamination rates than open-water species, and histological examination showed intestinal tissue damage in contaminated fish — relevant to food safety for fish consumers in the region.

2020 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastic in various freshwater fish species from agriculture fishpond in Tanjong Karang, Selangor

Researchers found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 29.25% of freshwater fish from an aquaculture fishpond in Tanjong Karang, Malaysia — a higher rate than previously reported in the region — with variation across species linked to feeding zone differences.

2023 UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA)
Article Tier 2

Assessing microplastic abundances in freshwater fishes in a subtropical African reservoir

Scientists examined freshwater fish from a reservoir in South Africa and found microplastics in nearly 87% of the fish across eight species. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, found in both the gills and digestive tracts of the fish. Since these fish are consumed by local communities, the widespread contamination raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through freshwater fish, an understudied area compared to marine seafood.

2024 Discover Sustainability 10 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

Spatial–Temporal Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastic Pollution of Inland Fishing Ground in the Ubolratana Reservoir, Thailand

Researchers assessed the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface water and sediment across 13 stations of the Ubolratana Reservoir in Thailand. They found that microplastic abundance ranged widely, with seasonal variations and tourism activity significantly influencing contamination levels. The pollution load index reached extremely high levels in tourist areas during the dry season, suggesting that human recreational activity is a major driver of reservoir microplastic pollution.

2023 Water 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplasts in Freshwater Fish – Problems and Challenges

This review examines microplastic contamination of freshwater fish, covering ingestion evidence from over 150 species, the mechanisms of accumulation in gastrointestinal and other tissues, potential health impacts, and challenges in standardizing quantification methodologies.

2025 Journal Scientific and Applied Research
Article Tier 2

Characterization and enumeration of microplastic pollution in three fish species of the Upper Mississippi River

Researchers found 891 microplastic particles across 281 fish from three species in the Upper Mississippi River, with fibers being the most common type and smaller fish containing proportionally more microplastics than larger ones. This confirms microplastic ingestion is widespread in freshwater fish — not just marine species — and the presence of styrene-isoprene, polyester, and ABS polymers highlights the diverse plastic sources contaminating major river systems.

2023 Minds at UW (University of Wisconsin)
Article Tier 2

Preliminary assessment of microplastic pollution in commercial freshwater fish species collected from four districts in Bac Ninh province

This study documented microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of four commercially farmed freshwater fish species in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, finding microplastics in 100% of fish examined. Fibres were the dominant form and concentrations varied between fish species and collection sites. The results provide an early baseline for microplastic monitoring in Vietnamese freshwater aquaculture and highlight a potential route of human exposure through consumption of farmed fish.

2023 Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology/Science and Technology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to the Freshwater Fishes: a Review

This review examines microplastics as an emerging threat to freshwater fishes, covering their sources from cosmetics and plastic debris fragmentation, routes of entry including wastewater treatment plants, and documented toxic effects on fish physiology and behavior.

2022 International Journal of Biological Innovations 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish: Global trends, challenges and perspectives

This global review analyzed 144 studies on microplastic contamination in wild freshwater fish across 45 countries and found that 450 fish species were contaminated, including 35 species on the conservation Red List. Microplastics were most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, with fibers and fragments being the dominant shapes. The evidence indicates that freshwater fish worldwide are widely exposed to microplastic pollution, with potential implications for both aquatic ecosystems and human seafood consumption.

2025 Environmental Pollution 3 citations