An Analysis of Suspected Microplastics in the Muscle and Gastrointestinal Tissues of Fish From Sarasota Bay, FL: Exposure and Implications for Apex Predators and Seafood Consumers

Authors

Eric Conger
Miranda Dziobak
Elizabeth J Berens McCabe
Tita Curtin
Ayushi Gaur
Randall S Wells
John E Weinstein
Leslie B Hart

Publication Date

9-1-2024

Journal

Environments

Abstract

Microplastics have been found in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluid of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), inhabiting Sarasota Bay, FL, suggesting exposure by ingestion, possibly via contaminated fish. To better understand the potential for trophic transfer, muscle and GI tissues from 11 species of dolphin prey fish collected from Sarasota Bay were screened for microplastics (particles <5 mm diameter). Suspected microplastics were found in 82% of muscle samples (n=89), and 97% of GI samples (n=86). Particle abundance and shapes varied by species (p<0.05) and foraging habit (omnivore vs. carnivore, p<0.05). Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) had the highest particle abundance for both tissue types (muscle: 0.38 particles/g; GI: 15.20 particles/g), which has implications for dolphins as they are a common prey item. Findings from this study support research demonstrating the ubiquity of estuarine plastic contamination and underscore the risks of ingestion exposure for wildlife and potentially seafood consumers.

Keywords

plastic pollution, bottlenose dolphin, One Health, contaminant, trophic transfer

Comments

Associated Data

PMID: 39391169