MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Marine Biology Station of Funchal, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Portugal; LB3, Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal.
MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Marine Biology Station of Funchal, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Portugal; LB3, Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Oct 10;894:164952. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164952. Epub 2023 Jun 17.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the ocean represents a potential threat to marine organisms, with poorly understood long-term adverse effects, including exposure to plastic additives. The present study investigated the ingestion of MPs in two epipelagic fish species (Trachurus picturatus and Scomber colias) and three pelagic squid species (Loligo vulgaris, Ommastrephes caroli and Sthenoteuthis pteropus) from an open oceanic region of the Northeast Atlantic. Seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were also analysed in the organisms' tissue, and the potential correlation between PAEs concentrations and ingested MPs was investigated. Seventy-two fish and 20 squid specimens were collected and analysed. MPs were found in the digestive tract of all species and in the squid species' gills and ink sacs. The highest occurrence of MPs was in the stomach of S. colias (85 %) and the lowest in the stomach and ink sac of O. caroli and L. vulgaris (12 %). Most of the particles identified (>90 %) were fibres. Among all the ecological and biological factors considered (dietary preferences, season, body size, total weight, liver weight, hepatosomatic index and gastrosomatic index), only gastrosomatic index (GSI) and season were significant predictors of MPs ingestion in fish species, with a greater likelihood of ingestion in the cold season and in specimens with higher GSI values (i.e. higher feeding intensity). Four PAEs (DEP, DIBP, BBP, DEHP) were detected in all the species analysed, with average ∑PAEs concentrations ranging between 10.31 and 30.86 ng/g (wet weight). DIBP was positively correlated with ingested MPs, suggesting this compound might represent a "plastic tracer". This study looks into the problem of MPs ingestion for pelagic species in an open oceanic region, highlighting the most suitable bioindicators and providing essential insights into the factors that may influence ingestion rates. Additionally, the detection of PAEs in all species indicates the need for further research on the contamination sources, the effects of these chemicals on marine organisms, and the potential risks to human health through seafood consumption.
微塑料（MPs）在海洋中的普遍存在对海洋生物构成了潜在威胁，其长期的不良影响还不甚清楚，包括暴露于塑料添加剂。本研究调查了东北大西洋开阔海域的两种上层鱼类（Trachurus picturatus 和 Scomber colias）和三种远洋鱿鱼物种（Loligo vulgaris、Ommastrephes caroli 和 Sthenoteuthis pteropus）摄入 MPs 的情况。还分析了这些生物体组织中的 7 种邻苯二甲酸酯（PAEs），并研究了 PAEs 浓度与摄入 MPs 之间的潜在相关性。共采集和分析了 72 条鱼和 20 只鱿鱼标本。在所有物种的消化道以及鱿鱼物种的鳃和墨囊中均发现了 MPs。S. colias 胃中 MPs 的检出率最高（85%），而 O. caroli 和 L. vulgaris 的胃和墨囊中检出率最低（12%）。鉴定出的大多数颗粒（>90%）为纤维。在所考虑的所有生态和生物学因素（饮食偏好、季节、体型、总重量、肝重、肝体指数和胃体指数）中，只有胃体指数（GSI）和季节是鱼类摄入 MPs 的重要预测因素，在寒冷季节和 GSI 值较高的样本中（即较高的摄食强度），摄入的可能性更大。在所分析的所有物种中均检测到 4 种 PAEs（DEP、DIBP、BBP、DEHP），∑PAEs 浓度平均在 10.31 至 30.86ng/g（湿重）之间。DIBP 与摄入的 MPs 呈正相关，表明该化合物可能代表一种“塑料示踪剂”。本研究调查了开阔海域中浮游物种摄入 MPs 的问题，突出了最合适的生物标志物，并提供了有关可能影响摄入率的因素的重要见解。此外，所有物种中均检测到 PAEs 表明需要进一步研究这些化学物质的污染来源、对海洋生物的影响以及通过海鲜消费对人类健康的潜在风险。
