Microplastics in fishes from the Meghna River estuary, Bangladesh

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) were investigated in four fish species viz., Polynemus paradiseus, Rhinomugil corsula, Sillaginopsis panijus and Taenioides sandwipi, which were collected from the Meghna River estuary, Bangladesh. Gastrointestinal tracts of fishes (n = 80 in total) were examined for the presence of MPs following alkali digestion, microscopic observation and µ-FTIR analysis. Total 573 MPs were detected in four fish species, indicating MPs presence in 81.3% fish samples. There were 7.16 ± 4.33 MP items/fish, 2.16 ± 1.76 items/g of GIT and 0.15 ± 0.12 items/g of body weight. Polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon were the most abundant polymers. The majority of MPs were fiber (62.48%), while white color was the dominant one. Fifty-one percent MPs belonged to size < 500 µm, indicating that smaller particles were more bio-available to pelagic fishes. The findings confirm intrusion of MPs in the Meghna River estuary and fishes therein, posing a threat to public health via the food chain.