Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Microplastics Pollution in the Blackfin Barracuda (Sphyraena genie) in the Oman Sea

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran

2 Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the abundance and durability of plastic waste, especially in marine
environments, it has caused significant environmental effects and has become one of the most
serious threats to oceans and biodiversity. Microplastics (1 micrometer to 5 mm), are an
important component of marine plastic pollution. The growing concern over the negative effects
of microplastics on human health has heightened attention to their presence in aquatic
environments and edible aquatic animals. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to
investigate the presence and quantitative (abundance and size) and qualitative (shape and color)
microplastics in the digestive system of blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena genie) in the Oman Sea.
Material and Methods: For this research, 27 pieces of S. genie with an average total length of
42.5 ± 5.36 cm and total weight of 353.5 ± 2.5 grams were collected by local fishermen using gill
nets from the northern shores of the Oman Sea were collected in the winter of 2020 and bioassayed
after being transferred to the laboratory. The extraction of microplastics was done by digesting the
digestive system with ten percent KOH and then vacuum filtration. Identification, counting and
determining the characteristics of microplastics (shape, size and color) were done by
stereomicroscope. Particle dimensions (μm) were measured using ImageJ software.
Results and Discussion: According to the obtained results, 285 plastic particles were detected in
the S. genie on the coast of Oman. All the examined fish had microplastics in their digestive
system. The average abundance of 10.5 ± 5.19 particles per individual and 0.8 ± 0.2 particles per
gram of wet weight microplastics were observed in the digestive system of fish. The most
identified microplastics were in the form of fiber (abundance: 73%), irregular fragments (26%)
and film (1%). The identified microplastics were of various dark and light colors. The color
combination according to abundance was black > gray > transparent > cream > red > blue and
dark red > green and brown > pink and white > dark blue and peach. About half of the
microplastics were shorter than 300 μm in length, while only about 9% of the microplastic
particles were between 1 and 5 mm in length. In terms of size, microplastics were classified into
eight groups: category one (size: 1-100 micrometers; 64 microplastics), category two (100-300
micrometers; 85 microplastics), category three (300-500 micrometers; 45 microplastics), category
four (1 mm-500 micrometers; 66 microplastics) category five (1-2 mm; 19 microplastic), category
six (2-3 mm; 5 microplastic), category seven (3-4 mm; 1 microplastic) and category eight (4-5
mm; without microplastics). The size of the fragments of microplastics was smaller than the fiber,
and most of the fragments were less than 100 micrometers in size. Considering the small size of
most microplastic particles and the presence of small fish remains (skulls, scales and gill fibers)
and shell fragments in the digestive system of fish and the carnivorous diet of the S. genie, it can
be assumed that the source of the microplastic particles swallowed by these fish, which represent
environmental pollution with plastic waste is the secondary microplastics in this area.
Conclusion: Microplastic particles were observed in the digestive tract of all the examined
samples of S. genie. The isolated microplastics were in the form of fiber, irregular fragments
and films. Black, gray, and transparent colors were evident as the dominant colors, and fiber
was the dominant shape in microplastics. Microplastics with a size of 1 mm and less were the
most abundant (92%) size. The existence of microplastics in the investigated fish leads to
ecological and health concerns. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the entry of plastic
pollutants into the marine environment.

Keywords


Abbasi, A., Sadeghi, P., Taghizade Rahmat Abadi, Z., 2023. Characterization of microplastics in digestive tract of commercial fish species from the Oman Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 115769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115769
Agharokh, A., Taleshi, M., Bibak, M., Rasta, M., Torabi Jafroudi, H. and Rubio Armesto, B., 2022. Assessing the relationship between the abundance of microplastics in sediments, surface waters, and fish in the Iran southern shores. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 29(13), 18546-18558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17128-8
Aiguo, Z., Di, S., Chong, W., Yuliang, C., Shaolin, X., Peiqin, L., Guohuan, X., Huijuan, T. and Zou, Z., 2022. Characteristics and differences of microplastics ingestion for farmed fish with different water depths, feeding habits and diets. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 10(2), 107189. DOI:10.1016/j.jece.2022.107189
Akhbarizadeh, R., Moore, F. and Keshavarzi, B., 2018. Investigating a probable relationship between microplastics and potentially toxic elements in fish muscles from northeast of Persian Gulf. Environmental Pollution. 232, 154-163. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.028.
Bai, Z., Wang, N. and Wang, M., 2021. Effects of microplastics on marine copepods. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 217, 112243.
Barboza, L.G.A., Lopes, C., Oliveira, P., Bessa, F., Otero, V., Henriques, B. and Guilhermino, L., 2020. Microplastics in wild fish from North East Atlantic Ocean and its potential for causing neurotoxic effects, lipid oxidative damage, and human health risks associated with ingestion exposure. Science of the Total Environment. 717, 134625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134625.
Battaglia, P., Pedà, C., Musolino, S., Esposito, V., Andaloro, F. and Romeo, T., 2016. Diet and first documented data on plastic ingestion of Trachinotus ovatus L. 1758 (Pisces: Carangidae) from the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea). Italian Journal of Zoology. 83(1), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1114157
Bellas, J., Martínez-Armental, J., Martínez-Cámara, A., Besada, V. and Martínez-Gómez, C., 2016. Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 109(1), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.026
Bessa, F., Barría, P., Neto, J.M., Frias, J.P., Otero, V., Sobral, P. and Marques, J.C., 2018. Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 128. 575-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.044
Borrelle, S.B.J., Ringma, K.L., Law, C.C., Monnahan, L., Lebreton, A., McGivern, E., Murphy, J., Jambeck, G.H., Leonard, M.A., Hilleary, M., Eriksen, H.P., Possingham, H., De Frond, L.R., Gerber, B., Polidoro, A., Tahir, M., Bernard, N., Mallos, M. and Rochman, C.M., 2020. Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution. Science. 369(6510), 1515. DOI: 10.1126/science.aba3656
De Falco, F., Gullo, M.P., Gentile, G., Di Pace, E., Cocca, M., Gelabert, L., Brouta-Agnésa, M., Rovira, R., Escudero, R., Villalba, R., Mossotti, R., Montarsolo, A., Gavignano, S., Tonin, C., Avella, M., 2018. Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics. Environmental Pollution. 236, 916-925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.057
De Witte, B., Catarino, A.I., Vandecasteele, L., Dekimpe, M., Meyers, N., Deloof, D. and Torreele, E., 2022. Feasibility study on biomonitoring of microplastics in fish gastrointestinal tracts. Frontiers in Marine Science. 8, 794636. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.794636
Edo, C., González-Pleiter, M., Leganés, F., Fernández-Piñas, F. and Rosal, R., 2020. Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge. Environmental Pollution. 259, 113837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113837
EEA, 2022. Microplastics from textiles: towards a circular economy for textiles in Europe. European Environment Agency. Available online at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/microplastics-from-textiles-towards-a
El-Sayed, A.A.M., Ibrahim, M.I.A., Shabaka, S., Ghobashy, M.M., Shreadah, M.A. and Abdel Ghani, S.A., 2022. Microplastics contamination in commercial fish from Alexandria City, the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt. Environmental Pollution. 313, 120044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120044
Ghattavi, K., Naji, A. and Kord, S., 2019. Investigation of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tract of some species of caught fish from Oman Sea. Iranian Journal of Health and Environment. 12(1), 141-150. (In Persian with English abstract)
Gholizadeh, M., Shadi, A., Maryam Abadi, A., Nemati, M., Senapathi, V., Karthikeyan, S., 2023. Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in some commercial species from the Persian Gulf, Iran. Journal of Environmental Management. 344, 118386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118386
Gola, D., Tyagi, P.K., Arya, A., Chauhan, N., Agarwal, M., Singh, S.K. and Gola, S., 2021. The impact of microplastics on marine environment: A review. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring and Management. 16, 100552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2021.100552
Habib, R.Z. and Thiemann, T., 2022. Microplastic in the marine environment of the Red Sea–A short review. The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. 44(4), 383-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2022.03.002
Heshmati, S., Makhdoumi, P., Pirsaheb, M., Hossini, H., Ahmadi, S. and Fattahi, H., 2021. Occurrence and characterization of microplastic content in the digestive system of riverine fishes. Journal of Environmental Management. 299, 113620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113620
Hosseini, R., Sayadi, M.H., Aazami, J. and Savabieasfehani, M., 2020. Accumulation and distribution of microplastics in the sediment and coastal water samples of Chabahar Bay in the Oman Sea, Iran. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 160, 111682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111682
Hosseinpour, A., Chamani, A., Mirzaei, R. and Mohebbi-Nozar, S.L., 2021. Occurrence, abundance and characteristics of microplastics in some commercial fish of northern coasts of the Persian Gulf. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 171, 112693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112693
Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO), 2020. Annual Iranian Fisheries Statistics 2014 and 2018. Fisheries Design and Program Office, Tehran, Iran.
Jabeen, K., Su, L., Li, J., Yang, D., Tong, C., Mu, J. and Shi, H., 2017. Microplastics and mesoplastics in fish from coastal and fresh waters of China. Environmental Pollution. 221, 141-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.11.055.
Jovanovic, B., 2017. Ingestion of microplastics by fish and its potential consequences from a physical perspective. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 13(3), 510-515. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.1913
Keerthika, K., Padmavathy, P., Rani, V., Jeyashakila, R., Aanand, S., Kutty, R., Tamilselvan, R.,  and Subash, P., 2023. Microplastics accumulation in pelagic and benthic species along the Thoothukudi coast, South Tamil Nadu, India. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 189, 114735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114735
Koongolla, J. B., Lin, L., Pan, Y. F., Yang, C. P., Sun, D. R., Liu, S. .. and Li, H.X., 2020. Occurrence of microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts and gills of fish from Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. Environmental Pollution. 258. 113734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113734
Kor, K., Ghazilou, A., Ershadifar, H., 2020. Microplastic pollution in the littoral sediments of the northern part of the Oman Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 155, 111166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111166
Kord, S., and Naji, A., 2019. Study of Micro-plastic contamination in five species of prevailing fishes of Chabahar Bay, (Sistan and Baluchestan Province). Iranian Scientific Fisheries Journal.  28(3), 113-123.
DOI: 10.22092/ISFJ.2019.119191  (In Persian with English abstract)
Li, J., Lusher, A.L., Rotchell, J.M., Deudero, S., Turra, A., Bråte, I.L.N. and Shi, H., 2019. Using mussel as a global bioindicator of coastal microplastic pollution. Environmental Pollution. 244, 522-533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.032
Liu, J., Zhu, X., Teng, J., Zhao, J., Li, Ch., Shan, E., Zhang, Ch. And Wang, Q., 2021. Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Mollusks from the Coastal Area of Yantai, China. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 107, 693–699. DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03276-7
Mei, W., Chen, G., Bao, J., Song, M., Li, Y. and Luo, C., 2020. Interactions between microplastics and organic compounds in aquatic environments: a mini review. Science of the Total Environment. 736, 139472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139472
Morishita, S., Miki, R., Wada, H., Itou, M. and Motomura, H., 2020. Morphological comparisons of Sphyraena qenie with S. putnamae, with a revised key to Indo-Pacific species of Sphyraena lacking gill rakers (Sphyraenidae). Ichthyological Research. 67(3), 456-463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-020-00738-6
Mvovo, I., 2021. A comprehensive review on micro-plastic pollution in African aquatic systems. Environmental Advances. 5, 100107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100107
Naqash, N., Prakash, S., Kapoor, D. and Singh, R., 2020. Interaction of freshwater microplastics with biota and heavy metals: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters. 18(6), 1813-1824. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01044-3
Nematollahi, M.J., Keshavarzi, B., Moore, F., Esmaeili, H.R., Saravi, H.N. and Sorooshian, A., 2021. Microplastic fibers in the gut of highly consumed fish species from the southern Caspian Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 168, 112461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112461
Neves, D., Sobral, P., Ferreira, J.L. and Pereira, T., 2015. Ingestion of microplastics by commercial fish off the Portuguese coast. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 101(1), 119-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.008
Onyena, A.P., Aniche, D.C., Ogbolu, B.O., Rakib, M., Jahan, R., Uddin, J. and Walker, T.R., 2022. Governance strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in the marine environment: a review. Microplastics. 1(1), 15-46. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1010003
Pazos, R.S., Maiztegui, T., Colautti, D.C., Paracampo, A.H. and Gómez, N., 2017. Microplastics in gut contents of coastal freshwater fish from Río de la Plata estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 122(1-2), 85-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.007
Phaksopa, J., Sukhsangchan, R., Keawsang, R., Tanapivattanakul, K., Thamrongnawasawat, T., Worachananant, S. and Sreesamran, P., 2021. Presence and characterization of microplastics in coastal fish around the eastern coast of Thailand. Sustainability. 13(23), 13110. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313110
Prata, J.C., Silva, A.L., Walker, T.R., Duarte, A.C. and Rocha-Santos, T., 2020. COVID-19 pandemic repercussions on the use and management of plastics. Environmental Science and Technology. 54(13), 7760-7765. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02178
Rodrigues, S.M., Almeida, C.M.R., Silva, D., Cunha, J., Antunes, C., Freitas, V. and Ramos, S., 2019. Microplastic contamination in an urban estuary: abundance and distribution of microplastics and fish larvae in the Douro estuary. Science of the Total Environment. 659, 1071-1081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.273
Rummel, C.D., Löder, M.G., Fricke, N.F., Lang, T., Griebeler, E.M., Janke, M. and Gerdts, G., 2016. Plastic ingestion by pelagic and demersal fish from the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 102(1), 134-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.043
Sharifinia, M., Daliri, M. and Kamrani, E., 2019. Estuaries and coastal zones in the northern Persian gulf (Iran). In Coasts and estuaries. 4, 57-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814003-1.00004-6
Sadeghi, P., Loghmani, M., Yousuf, D.J. and Taghizade Rahmat Abadi, Z., 2021. Ecological and human health risk assessment of trace element pollution in sediments and five important commercial fishes of the Oman Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 173, 112962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112962
Senou, H., 2001. Sphyraenidae. Barracudas. In: Carpenter, K.E. and Niem, V. (Eds.), FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles. FAO, Rome, pp. 3685-3697
Taghizadeh Rahmat Abadi, Z., Abtahi, B., Grossart, H. P. and Khodabandeh, S., 2021. Microplastic content of Kutum fish, Rutilus frisii kutum in the southern Caspian Sea. Science of the Total Environment. 752, 141542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141542
Tanaka, K. and Takada, H., 2016. Microplastic fragments and microbeads in digestive tracts of planktivorous fish from urban coastal waters. Science Reports. 6, 34351. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34351
Uddin, S., Fowler, S. W. and Saeed, T., 2020. Microplastic particles in the Persian/Arabian Gulf–a review on sampling and identification. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 154, 111100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111100
Ugwu, K., Herrera, A. and Gómez, M., 2021. Microplastics in marine biota: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 169, 112540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112540
Wang, J., Peng, C., Li, H., Zhang, P. and Liu, X., 2021. The impact of microplastic-microbe interactions on animal health and biogeochemical cycles: a mini-review. Science of The Total Environment. 773, 145697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145697
Wei, L., Wang, D., Aierken, R., Wu, F., Dai, Y., Wang, X. and Zhen, Y., 2022. The prevalence and potential implications of microplastic contamination in marine fishes from Xiamen Bay, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 174, 113306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113306
Welden, N.A. and Cowie, P.R., 2017. Degradation of common polymer ropes in a sublittoral marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 118(1-2), 248-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.072
Wootton, N., Reis-Santos, P. and Gillanders, B.M., 2021. Microplastic in fish–A global synthesis. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. 31(4), 753-771. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09684-6
Yin, J., Li, J.Y., Craig, N.J. and Su, L., 2022a. Microplastic pollution in wild populations of decapod crustaceans: A review. Chemosphere, 291(2), 132985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132985
Yin, X., Wu, J., Liu, Y., Chen, X., Xie, C., Liang, Y., Li, J. and Jiang, Z., 2022b. Accumulation of microplastics in fish guts and gills from a large natural lake: Selective or non-selective? Environmental Pollution. 309, 119785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119785
Yousuf, F., Levent, B.A.T., Öztekin, A., Ali, Q.M., Ahmed, Q. and Shaikh, I., 2022. Preliminary observation on microplastic contamination in the Scombridae species from coastal waters of Pakistan. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin. 11, 202-211. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1101875
Zhang, D., Liu, X., Huang, W., Li, J., Wang, C., Zhang, D. and Zhang, C., 2020a. Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments and organisms of the Western Pacific Ocean. Environmental Pollution. 259, 113948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113948
Zhang, C., Wang, S., Sun, D., Pan, Z., Zhou, A., Xie, S. and Zou, J., 2020b. Microplastic pollution in surface water from east coastal areas of Guangdong, South China and preliminary study on microplastics biomonitoring using two marine fish. Chemosphere. 256, 127202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127202
Zheng, Y., Li, J., Cao, W., Liu, X., Jiang, F., Ding, J. and Sun, C., 2019. Distribution characteristics of microplastics in the seawater and sediment: a case study in Jiaozhou Bay, China. Science of the Total Environment. 674, 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.008