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Presence and Characterization of Microplastics in Coastal Fish around the Eastern Coast of Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Jitraporn Phaksopa

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Roochira Sukhsangchan

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Rangsiwut Keawsang

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Kittipod Tanapivattanakul

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Thon Thamrongnawasawat

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Suchai Worachananant

    (Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand)

  • Patinya Sreesamran

    (Department of Fisheries, Rayong Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center, Rayong 21160, Thailand)

Abstract

Marine microplastic has been in the limelight recently. This study aimed to describe microplastic types ingested by 274 fish from Thailand’s eastern coast in 2020 and to compare the microplastic content among different feeding traits. The microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills were extracted, analyzed, and identified using FT-IR spectroscopy. Approximately 13.14% of the total specimen ingested microplastics, with an average of 0.14 items per individual. The detection frequency of microplastics was relatively high compared with other regions in Thailand but relatively low compared to global standards. Of the microplastic contaminated specimens, 56.41% had at least one piece of microplastic in their gastrointestinal tract. Pelagic (14.47%) species were found to have ingested more microplastics than the demersal (12.63%) group. Dominant aspects found included PET (as in polymers), fiber (as in shape), and black (as in color). However, microplastic numbers fluctuated with the size, weight, and feeding behavior of fish. This result suggested that the pelagic has a higher exposure risk and microplastic ingestion in relatively small quantities in a range of fish species. Our results indicated that the occurrence of microplastics in fish is not influenced by organism habitat or trophic level, although the characteristics of pelagic fish might significantly increase the chance of exposure to microplastics in pelagic species.

Suggested Citation

  • Jitraporn Phaksopa & Roochira Sukhsangchan & Rangsiwut Keawsang & Kittipod Tanapivattanakul & Thon Thamrongnawasawat & Suchai Worachananant & Patinya Sreesamran, 2021. "Presence and Characterization of Microplastics in Coastal Fish around the Eastern Coast of Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13110-:d:688669
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chelsea M. Rochman & Mark Anthony Browne & Benjamin S. Halpern & Brian T. Hentschel & Eunha Hoh & Hrissi K. Karapanagioti & Lorena M. Rios-Mendoza & Hideshige Takada & Swee Teh & Richard C. Thompson, 2013. "Classify plastic waste as hazardous," Nature, Nature, vol. 494(7436), pages 169-171, February.
    2. Samuel Abalansa & Badr El Mahrad & Godwin Kofi Vondolia & John Icely & Alice Newton, 2020. "The Marine Plastic Litter Issue: A Social-Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-27, October.
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    1. Jitraporn Phaksopa & Roochira Sukhsangchan & Rangsiwut Keawsang & Kittipod Tanapivattanakul & Bojara Asvakittimakul & Thon Thamrongnawasawat & Suchai Worachananant, 2022. "Assessment of Microplastics in Green Mussel ( Perna viridis ) and Surrounding Environments around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.

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