Isolation and prevalence of microplastic contamination in Seabass (Lates calcarifer) from the Bay of Bengal

• Israt Nur Suravi

  Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

  Author

• Md. Shahidul Islam

  Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

  Author

• Mafia Akter

  Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

  Author

• Thorna Rani Das

  Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

  Author

• Labanna Rahman

  Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

  Author

• Md. Shumon Mia

  Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

  Author

• Md. Aktaruzzaman

  Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Marine Fisheries and Technology Station, Cox’s Bazar-4700, Bangladesh.

  Author

The detrimental effects that microplastics (MPs) have on marine life have made them a serious issue as aquatic pollutants. This study looks at the presence and attributes of MPs in the muscle and digestive systems of 25 sea bass (Lates calcarifer) from the Bay of Bengal. MPs were detected in 88% of the fish that were analyzed, indicating that the area is heavily polluted. Several nets were used to catch sea bass weighing between 170 and 310.8 g. MPs counts rose with fish size, from 11.2±4.6 and 0.4±0.5 (T1:122-200 g) to 64.2±3.8 and 20.6±1.1 (T5:299-328 g) particles per individual for sea bass muscle and gastrointestinal tracts (GIT), respectively. Of the six colors of MPs found, the most common in the seabass's GIT and muscle were green (34.1% and 33%) and blue (31.6% and 27%). In the sea bass's muscle (91%) and GIT (94.9%), fibers were the most common form of microplastic. The majority of MPs were less than 500 µm, accounting for 76% of the fish's GIT and 79% of its muscle, respectively. Polyamide and polyethylene made up the majority of MPs, according to FTIR studies, with minor levels of polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The significant concentration of MPs discovered in a fish species that is essential to the fisheries emphasizes the need for environmental and health remedies. According to the study's findings, MPs are common in fish, and further research is needed to identify the factors influencing the incidence and risk assessment of MPs in fish in the Bay of Bengal. 

1. Israt Nur Suravi, Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

   Assistant Professor

   Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

2. Md. Shahidul Islam, Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

   Professor, 

   Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

3. Mafia Akter, Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

   Assistant Professor,Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

4. Md. Aktaruzzaman, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Marine Fisheries and Technology Station, Cox’s Bazar-4700, Bangladesh.

   Scientific Officer, 

   Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Marine Fisheries and Technology Station, Cox’s Bazar-4700, Bangladesh.

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