Microplastic occurrence in fishes from an urban estuary: a study on the influence of feeding characteristics on exposure risk in Charleston Harbor Estuary, SC USA
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Parker, Brittney Whittingham
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Abstract
Microplastic pollution is a growing problem in oceanic environments, having been recorded in most marine habitats globally. Few studies document the potential impact of microplastics on fishes in urbanized estuarine environments, which are an area of increased concern regarding microplastic pollution due to increased anthropogenic impacts. This study evaluated the influence feeding behavior and feeding ecology have on microplastic occurrence in fishes in an urbanized estuary, Charleston, SC USA. Microplastics were surveyed in the digestive tracts of five fish species: the planktivorous Bay Anchovy (<i>Anchoa mitchilli</i>) and Atlantic Menhaden (<i>Brevoortia tyrannus</i>); the piscivorous Spotted Seatrout (<i>Cynoscion nebulosus</i>); the benthivore Spot (<i>Leiostomus xanthurus</i>); and the detrivore/benthivore Striped Mullet (<i>Mugil cephalus</i>). Microplastics were found in 98.9% of fishes collected with an average of 27 microplastic particles per individual fish, 6 microplastic particles per gram of fish, and 21 microplastic particles per gram of digestive tract. Fibers were the most common type of plastic found across all five species representing 76.4% of microplastics. Tire wear particles were also found in 14.4% of individuals across all five species, constituting the first known evidence of tire wear particle consumption in field collected fishes. Atlantic Menhaden had significantly higher microplastic concentration than other species, showing how specific feeding behavior, food choice and feeding ecology increase their risk of microplastic consumption. Recorded microplastic counts across all species were high in comparison to other marine studies, suggesting urban estuaries may pose greater risk of microplastic consumption for organisms.