Occurrence of microplastics and metals in European seabass produced in different aquaculture systems: Implications for human exposure, risk, and food safety

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-06, Vol.929, p.172535-172535, Article 172535
• Main Authors: Matias, Ricardo S., Gomes, Sónia, Barboza, Luis Gabriel A., Almeida, C. Marisa R., Marques, António, Guilhermino, Lúcia, Valente, Luisa M.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anthropogenic contaminants; Aquaculture; Bass - metabolism; Bioconcentration; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Environmental Monitoring; Food Contamination - analysis; Food Safety; Humans; Metals - analysis; Microplastics - analysis; Risk Assessment; Seafood - analysis; Seafood contamination; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; ‘One Health’ concept
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172535

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern as they may cause adverse effects and carry other contaminants, which may potentially compromise human health. Despite occurring in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, the knowledge about MP presence in different aquaculture systems and their potential impact on seafood products is still limited. This study aimed to determine the levels of MPs in water, feed, and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from three relevant aquaculture systems and estimate human exposure to MPs and metals through seabass consumption. The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) had the highest MP occurrence in water and feed. MP levels in seabass followed the aquaculture system's levels in water and feed, with RAS-farmed fish presenting the highest MP load, both in the fish gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and muscle, followed by pond-, and cage-farmed fish. MPs' characteristics across aquaculture systems and fish samples remained consistent, with the predominant recovered particles falling within the MP size range. The particles were visually characterized and chemically identified by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR). Most of these particles were fibres composed of man-made cellulose and PET. MP levels in GIT were significantly higher than in muscle for pond- and RAS-farmed fish, MPs' bioconcentration factors >1 indicated bioconcentration in farmed seabass. Metal concentrations in fish muscle were below permissible limits, posing low intake risks for consumers according to the available health-based guidance values and estimated dietary scenarios. [Display omitted] •Microplastics (MPs) in water, feed, and seabass from 3 aquaculture systems assessed•The RAS had the highest MP levels in water, feed, and seabass GIT and muscle.•The most predominant polymers were man-made cellulose, phenoxy resin, and PET.•Trace and non-essential metals in fish muscle were below permissible concentrations.•Human dietary exposure to metals through consumption of farmed seabass is low.