Presence and characterization of microplastics in fish of commercial importance from the Biobío region in central Chile.
Mar Pollut Bull
; 140: 315-319, 2019 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30803650
ABSTRACT
In this study we have identified and characterized microplastic particles (MPs) found in six fish species of commercial importance in central Chile. The fish species belong to different trophic levels and were obtained from the oceanic and coastal habitats. To analyze MPs, the fish gastrointestinal content was extracted, analyzed and characterized using a microscopy equipped with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The MPs found in fish samples were mainly constituted by red microfibers (70-100%) with sizes ranging between 176 and 2842⯵m. Polyester, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were identified as the prevalent polymers detected. The coastal species showed the presence of microfibers with a higher size and abundance (71%) compared to oceanic species (29%), suggesting there is a greater exposure risk. These findings are consistent with results found in other investigations worldwide. However, further research is still needed to accurately establish the potential exposure risk for the public consuming these fish and the impact of MPs in the Chilean fishery activities.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plastics
/
Water Pollutants, Chemical
/
Environmental Monitoring
/
Fishes
/
Gastrointestinal Contents
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Chile
Language:
En
Journal:
Mar Pollut Bull
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article