Hazard index of microplastics contamination in various fishes collected off Parangipettai, Southeast coast of India

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-11, Vol.307, p.136037-136037, Article 136037
• Main Authors: Nithin, Ajith, Sundaramanickam, Arumugam, Iswarya, Parthasarathy, Babu, O.Ganesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fibers; Gills; Gut; Polymer composition; Polymer hazard index
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136037

The authors of the present research aimed to assess microplastics (MPs) contamination in the gills and gut of selected fishes from various aquatic zones and also to bring out the risks of the identified polymers. Accordingly, about 200 fish specimens of 10 different species were collected from the landing center at Parangipettai, southeast coast of India. The fishes were dissected to investigate MPs contamination in their gills and gut. The dissected tissues were acid digested and filtered to observe its microplastic contamination using a stereozoom microscope. In gills, Cynoglossus arel had the least contamination (0.4 ± 0.01 particles/ind) and Mugil cephalus had highest microplastic contamination (1.7 ± 0.01 particles/ind). In gut, C. arel had the minimum contamination (0.7 ± 0.09 particles/ind) and Rastrelliger kanagurta had maximum contamination (2.3 ± 0.26 particles/ind). The size of microplastics isolated from the present study ranged from 100 to 1000 μm. Among microplastic shapes, fibers (97%) and pellets (3%) were observed. About eight colours of microplastics were observed in the fishes among which black was dominant. Three polymers such as LDPE, PP and PS were identified by μFTIR, among which LDPE (57%) was dominant. Polymer Hazard Index denotes that LDPE (6.27), PP (3.4) and PS (2.7) have a PHI score of 1–10 classifying them in the hazard category II which has a medium risk. These polymers may directly enter the human body when consumed and cause health implications which require further investigation. [Display omitted] ❖MPs contamination in 10 species of fishes was investigated and risk assessment of polymers was studied.❖Physical characteristics such as shape, colour and polymers showed dominance of fibers, black and LDPE respectively.❖MPs were observed in the range of 100–1000 μm.❖MPs contamination in the marine environment may affect the fishes of the respective milieu.