Microplastics FTIR characterisation and distribution in the water column and digestive tracts of small pelagic fish in the Gulf of Lions. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lefebvre, Charlotte; Saraux, Claire; Heitz, Olivier; Nowaczyk, Antoine; Bonnet, Delphine
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 142(2019)
• Page Start: 510
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Mediterranean -- Sardina pilchardus -- Engraulis encrasicolus -- FTIR; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims at quantifying and characterising microplastics (MP) distribution in the water column of the NW Mediterranean Sea as well as MP ingestion by the 2 main planktivorous fish of the area, sardine and anchovy. Debris of similar sizes were found in all water column samples and in all but 2 fish guts (out of 169). MP were found in 93% of water column samples with an average concentration of 0.23 ± 0.20 MP·m −3, but in only 12% of sardines (0.20 ± 0.69 MP·ind −1 ) and 11% of anchovies (0.11 ± 0.31 MP·ind −1 ). Fibres were the only shape of MP encountered and polyethylene terephthalate was the main polymer identified in water columns (61%), sardines (71%) and anchovies (89%). This study confirms the ubiquity of MP in the Mediterranean Sea and imparts low occurrence in fish digestive tracts. Highlights: Microplastics were studied in the NW Mediterranean Sea using 17 stations in 2015. Microplastic concentration averaged 0.23 ± 0.20 MP·m −3 in the water column. Microplastic ingestion occurred in only 11–12% of anchovies and sardines. The main polymer type recovered in each sample was polyethylene terephtalate. Fibres were the only microplastic shape encountered.