1. Microplastic characterization in the stomachs of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from the western Mediterranean Sea.
- Author
-
Torresi, Marco, Giménez, Joan, Navarro, Joan, Coll, Marta, García-Barcelona, Salvador, Macías, David, Borrell, Asunción, and Garcia-Garin, Odei
- Subjects
SWORDFISH ,PELAGIC fishes ,POLYETHYLENE terephthalate ,INFRARED spectroscopy ,GASTROINTESTINAL contents - Abstract
In this study, we aimed to quantify the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the stomachs of large pelagic fish (swordfish, Xiphias gladius, Linnaeus, 1758) sampled in the western Mediterranean Sea, and assess temporal trends (2011–2012 vs. 2017–2019) in MP ingestion. MPs were extracted from stomachs and characterized by μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results highlighted the ingestion of MP in 39 out of 49 stomachs analysed. Ingested MPs consisted mostly of small (<1 mm) fibers (88.6 %, mean ± standard deviation = 2.5 ± 6.1 particles per stomach), with a greater frequency of occurrence (FO) in the second period (FO = 90 %, 3.3 ± 8.0 particles per stomach). The predominant colours were purple, black and blue, and polyethylene terephthalate was the most frequently detected polymer. These results are crucial for the development of management actions aimed at the conservation of swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea and the prevention of health risks to humans. • Stomachs from 49 swordfish from the W Mediterranean Sea were analysed • 80 % of swordfish analysed had microplastics (MPs) in their stomachs • MPs were characterized and analysed by μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy • No significant differences were detected in the MPs ingested between 2011 and 2019 • The consumption of swordfish, due to MP ingestion, may pose a threat to humans [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF