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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Larval Fish Habitat Brims with Plastic
ClearPrey-size plastics are invading larval fish nurseries
Ocean surface sampling near nursery habitats for larval marine fish found that microplastic particles at the sea surface are now abundant at sizes matching the prey that larvae depend on for survival. This overlap in prey size and plastic particle size suggests that larval fish face a significant risk of accidentally ingesting plastics during their most vulnerable life stage.
Microplastic contamination in coral reef fish larvae: ecological and oceanographic features influence exposure risk.
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in coral reef fish larvae, finding that ecological and oceanographic features such as larval aggregation processes and proximity to plastic accumulation zones significantly influence the degree of microplastic exposure risk for larval fish.
Microplastic contamination of coral reef fish larvae of the Great Barrier Reef: baseline data and influences of oceanographic and ecological features
This study found microplastic contamination in coral reef fish larvae from the Great Barrier Reef, where larval fish are uniquely vulnerable because microplastics overlap in size with their natural zooplankton prey and are concentrated by the same oceanographic processes. Ingestion of microplastics by larvae could impair early development and recruitment to reef fish populations.
Microplastic ingestion in fish larvae in the western English Channel
This study found that fish larvae in the western English Channel had ingested microplastics, including fibers and fragments, at early life stages. Because larvae are critical for recruitment success, even sub-lethal plastic exposure during this window could have population-level consequences for commercially important fish species.
Impacts of Microplastics on the Early Life Stages of Fish: Sources, Mechanisms, Ecological Consequences, and Mitigation Strategies
This review synthesized evidence on how microplastics affect the early life stages of fish, covering ingestion routes, physical and endocrine disruption mechanisms, and consequences for larval survival, growth, and development. The authors found that embryos and larvae are disproportionately vulnerable to microplastic exposure and identified biotransformation and food avoidance as priority mitigation strategies.
Microplastic contamination of coral reef fish larvae of the Great Barrier Reef: baseline data and influences of oceanographic and ecological features
Researchers found microplastics in coral reef fish larvae collected from the Great Barrier Reef, with particles concentrated by the same oceanographic processes that aggregate zooplankton prey. The similarity in size between microplastics and natural prey items increases the likelihood of accidental ingestion by larvae.
Environmental samples of microplastics induce significant toxic effects in fish larvae
Researchers collected microplastic samples from beaches on Easter Island, Guam, and Hawaii, then fed them to Japanese medaka fish at concentrations reflecting real ocean conditions. Larvae exposed to these environmental microplastics experienced increased mortality, developmental abnormalities, DNA damage, and behavioral changes. The study demonstrates that realistic concentrations of weathered, real-world microplastics can cause significant harm to fish during their most vulnerable early life stages.
Are fish larvae contaminated before they start eating? First evidence of microplastic contamination in the yolk-sac of wild fish larvae
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in wild fish larvae of two species — European sardine and common goby — from the Douro Estuary in Portugal, examining whether contamination begins before active feeding commences. They found microplastics present even in yolk-sac stage larvae that rely entirely on endogenous feeding, providing the first evidence that larval fish are contaminated before they begin eating.
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.
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.
Euryhaline fish larvae ingest more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater
Researchers found that euryhaline fish larvae ingested significantly more microplastic particles in seawater than in freshwater, likely due to physiological differences in drinking rates, with implications for understanding marine fish contamination.
Microplastic contamination in an urban estuary: Abundance and distribution of microplastics and fish larvae in the Douro estuary
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination and fish larval assemblages in the Douro estuary, Portugal, across monthly sampling surveys to assess co-occurrence and potential risk to early fish life stages. The study found that microplastics were present throughout the urban estuary and that fish larvae in nursery habitats face exposure risks from microplastic ingestion and associated pollutant uptake.
Sources and Impact of Microplastic Pollution in Indian Aquatic Ecosystem: A Review
This review examines sources and impacts of microplastic pollution across Indian aquatic ecosystems, documenting widespread contamination in marine and freshwater environments and discussing risks to living organisms given projections that ocean plastic will outweigh fish by 2050.
Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercial fish caught from a natural estuarine environment and found microplastics in a significant proportion of individuals, documenting both occurrence rates and particle characteristics.
Microplastics and mesoplastics in fish from coastal and fresh waters of China
Researchers surveyed fish from both coastal marine and freshwater environments across China and found microplastics in species from both habitats, with differences in contamination levels and plastic types reflecting each environment's pollution profile.
Juvenile fish caging as a tool for assessing microplastics contamination in estuarine fish nursery grounds
Researchers used caged juvenile fish as a biomonitoring tool to assess microplastic contamination in estuarine nursery grounds, finding that fish accumulated microplastics during exposure periods and that this approach could effectively reflect local contamination levels in estuarine habitats.
Assessment Of Microplastics In Commercially Important Fishes Collected From Thondi Fish Landing Center
Researchers assessed the presence and characteristics of microplastics in commercially important fish species collected from the Thondi fish landing center in India. The study evaluated microplastic contamination levels in fish obtained from a coastal fishing hub, contributing data on the prevalence of plastic particles in seafood relevant to both ecological and human dietary exposure concerns.
Distribution patterns of microplastics within the plankton of a tropical estuary
Microplastics were found throughout a tropical Brazilian estuary across different seasons and zones, with densities roughly half those of fish larvae and comparable to fish egg densities. The results raise the possibility that microplastics compete with or are mistaken for natural food items by larval fish in this ecologically critical nursery habitat.
Comparison of Presence of Microplastics in Two Edible Fish Species from South India
Researchers compared microplastic contamination in two edible fish species from South India, finding differences in the abundance and types of microplastics between species that likely reflect differences in feeding habits and habitat use.
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.