First evidence of microplastic ingestion in the ocean giant sunfish (Mola mola)

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2023

Autores

Lopes, C (Autor) Outra; Figueiredo, C (Autor) Outra; Baptista, M (Autor) Outra; Caetano, M (Autor) Outra; Santos, MM (Autor) FCUP; Raimundo, J (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Marine Environmental Research

Vol. 190

ISSN: 0141-1136

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citações

Scopus - 0 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00Y-R3B

DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106064

Abstract (EN): Mola mola is the largest teleost inhabiting our ocean and the presence of microplastics (MP) in this flagship species was, before this study, never described. Thus, this investigation focused on analysing MP ingestion in 53 ocean giant sunfish in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. A total of 116 MP were found in 79% of the specimens, with a median of 1 MP.ind(-1), ranging from 0 to 11 MP.ind(-1). Seasonal differences were observed, with more fibers registered in specimens caught in autumn. Among the different size classes observed, the smallest category (<300 mu m) was the most frequent (43%). Blue (43%) was the most prevalent color, followed by green (29%) and black (10%). The majority of fragments were styrene acrylic copolymer (53%), while most fibers were rayon (78%). These findings emphasize that the ocean sunfish population crossing the southern waters of Portugal is exposed to microplastic pollution and highlight the need for effective management policies to address plastic pollution in marine ecosystems.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 6