Microplastics in Mystus gulio, Lates calcarifer and Hyporhamphus limbatus from the Sundarbans of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigated the abundance and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in gastrointestinal tracts (GT), gill and muscle of three commercial fish species (Mystus gulio, Lates calcarifer, Hyporhamphus limbatus) from the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. The fishes were examined for MPs investigation following alkali digestion protocol, microscopic observations and chemical analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR). MPs were detected in all parts of all fish species except the muscle of M. gulio. Positive relationship was found between MPs abundance and body weight of the fish species. A total of 499 MPs were found in the GT, gill and muscle (5 g) of three species with an average MPs abundance of 12.20 items/g in GT, 8.03 items/g in gill and 2.37 items/g in muscle, respectively. A remarkable number of MPs was identified in muscle of two fish species. Among the various shapes and colors of MPs, fiber (45–58.82%), and black (30.83–72.41%) respectively, were dominant. The dominant polymer identified by FTIR analysis was latex (17%) and ethylene vinyl acetate (16%) while high-density polyethylene (11%) and low-density polyethylene (11%) were second dominant type. The study results show the presence of MPs in fishes from the Sundarbans of Bangladesh that can be transferred through food chain to human.