Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from Flemish rivers (Belgium)

Researchers found microplastic contamination in gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from Flemish rivers in Belgium, contributing early evidence of microplastic ingestion in European freshwater fish and highlighting the need for greater attention to plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

2018 Environmental Pollution 139 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater fish from Central European lowland river (Widawa R., SW Poland)

More than half of gudgeon and roach fish collected from a small Polish river had ingested microplastic-like particles, with no significant difference by sex, feeding behavior, or location relative to a dam. The findings suggest microplastic ingestion by freshwater fish is widespread and not driven by a single local source.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 57 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

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

The influence of exposure and physiology on microplastic ingestion by the freshwater fish Rutilus rutilus (roach) in the River Thames, UK

Researchers examined microplastic ingestion by roach in the River Thames and found synthetic particles in fish from six of seven sampling sites, with ingestion rates linked to local microplastic exposure levels and fish feeding behavior. The study suggests that both environmental concentration and physiological factors like gut morphology and diet influence how much microplastic freshwater fish consume.

2018 Environmental Pollution 265 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastic in the digestive tracts of European flounder, Platichthys flesus, and European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus, from the River Thames

Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of both European flounder and European smelt from the River Thames in London, with occurrence rates reflecting the fish's benthic versus pelagic feeding habits. The study demonstrates that fish in heavily urbanized river systems are exposed to microplastic contamination through their diet.

2016 Environmental Pollution 201 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

Characterization of microplastics in commercially valued Gangetic fishes and its exposure assessment on humans

Researchers characterized microplastics in commercially sold fish from the Ganges River in India, finding plastic contamination across multiple species and providing an initial exposure assessment for human consumers who rely on freshwater fish as a primary protein source.

2023
Article Tier 2

Independence of microplastic ingestion from environmental load in the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) from the Rhine river using high quality standards

This study found that the amount of microplastics ingested by round goby fish was not closely linked to the concentration of microplastics in their local environment, suggesting individual variability or selective feeding plays a role. The findings complicate efforts to use fish ingestion rates as a direct proxy for environmental microplastic levels.

2020 Environmental Pollution 19 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
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastic ingestion in commercial fish from Surabaya river, Indonesia

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in commercial fish species from the Surabaya River in Indonesia, a major urban waterway used for both clean water supply and fisheries. They found microplastics present in all fish studied, with variations in abundance linked to feeding behavior and habitat. The findings raise concerns about food safety for communities that rely on river fish as a dietary staple.

2023 Environmental Pollution 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater wild and farmed fish species of Bangladesh

Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in freshwater wild and farmed fish species across multiple rivers and farms in Bangladesh, comparing contamination levels between wild-caught and aquaculture-raised fish of the same species.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics accumulation in functional feeding guilds and functional habit groups of freshwater macrobenthic invertebrates: Novel insights in a riverine ecosystem

Microplastics were found across functional feeding groups and habitat types of freshwater macroinvertebrates in an Italian river, with collector-gatherers and sediment-dwelling species showing higher contamination, confirming that dietary and behavioral ecology shapes microplastic exposure patterns in invertebrate communities.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 93 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Ingestion by Fishes from Jamuna River, Bangladesh

Freshwater fish from the Jamuna River in Bangladesh were examined for microplastic ingestion, finding plastics in a high proportion of individuals across multiple species. The study provides early evidence of freshwater microplastic contamination in Bangladesh and highlights the Jamuna River as a significant conduit for plastic pollution.

2022 Environment and Natural Resources Journal 44 citations
Article Tier 2

‘The Plastic Nile’: First Evidence of Microplastic Contamination in Fish from the Nile River (Cairo, Egypt)

Researchers provided the first evidence of microplastic contamination in fish from the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt, finding that over 75% of sampled Nile tilapia and catfish contained microplastics in their digestive tracts, with fibers and fragments being the dominant particle types.

2020 Toxics 107 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species of the river Old Brahmaputra, Bangladesh

Researchers found microplastics in nearly 59% of edible fish from Bangladesh's Old Brahmaputra river, with polyethylene fibers and pellets dominating, and ingestion rates linked to fish size, feeding behavior, and downstream location.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 39 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Frontiers in Marine Science
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in commercial marine fish species in the UK – A case study in the River Thames and the River Stour (East Anglia) estuaries

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three commercially important fish species from UK estuaries, finding that over 41% of fish had ingested at least one microplastic particle. Larger and heavier fish were more contaminated, and the results highlight that humans who eat these common fish species are likely being exposed to microplastics through their diet.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Pervasive Microplastic Ingestion by Commercial Fish Species from a Natural Lagoon Environment

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of commercial fish species from a natural lagoon environment. Microplastics were found across all species examined, with fiber morphotypes dominant and contamination levels reflecting the lagoon's proximity to human activity and plastic pollution sources.

2024 Water 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the Danube River and Its Main Tributaries—Ingestion by Freshwater Macroinvertebrates

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the Danube River and its major tributaries and analyzed ingestion by freshwater fish species collected from multiple sites. Microplastics were detected in a significant proportion of fish, with ingestion rates correlating with local plastic contamination levels, documenting widespread plastic exposure across the Danube watershed's fish communities.

2024 Water 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of microplastics in Brantas River, East Java, Indonesia and its distribution in gills and digestive tracts of fish Gambusia affinis

Researchers sampled water, gills, and digestive tracts of fish in Indonesia's Brantas River and found microplastics in all three, with fragments under 0.1 mm making up the majority — demonstrating that river fish are actively ingesting microplastics that then accumulate in their bodies.

2021 Emerging contaminants 38 citations
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

Microplastics across biomes in diadromous species. Insights from the critically endangered Anguilla anguilla

Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in young European eels across freshwater and marine environments, finding these critically endangered diadromous fish are exposed to microplastic contamination in both habitats throughout their life cycle.

2022 Environmental Pollution 22 citations