Microplastic Abundance in Blood Cockles and Shrimps from Fishery Market, Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand

Microplastics have been one of the major pollutants in the marine environment throughout the recent decade. At present, microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems of Thailand region has become an increasing environmental concern because the ingestion of microplastics in marine organisms may adversely influence the safety of seafood. Cockles and shrimps widely distribute among marine organisms in Thailand since they are one of the commercial sources of seafood, which may be a route of exposure to microplastics towards human. This study documents a market survey in order to understand the extension of microplastic presence in blood cockles (Anadara granosa), fine shrimp (Metapenaeus elegans) and Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) sold in the fishery market in Singhanakorn district, Songkhla province. These selected species are widely consumed and economically important, especially in the southern Thailand region. The total microplastic concentration in blood cockles is 4.71±0.06 n/g (wet weight) and 2.64±0.01 n/individual; in fine shrimp is 0.50±0.19 n/g (wet weight) and 3.70±1.12 n/individual; in Indian white shrimp is 0.69±0.48 n/g (wet weight) and 3.45±0.04n/individual. Discovered microplastics in all the species samples were mainly composed of microplastic fibres and black colour was found to be more predominant. Our results indicate that microplastic contamination is present in Thailand’s commercial seafood species. As microplastic able to be transferred to human through food web, we suggest further market-based survey studies on other seafood sources.

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Evidence of Marine Microplastics in Commercially Harvested Seafood

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology ◽

10.3389/fbioe.2020.562760 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Curren ◽

Chui Pin Leaw ◽

Po Teen Lim ◽

Sandric Chee Yew Leong

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Output ◽

Size Range ◽

White Shrimp ◽

Shrimp Species ◽

Fenneropenaeus Indicus ◽

Global Issue ◽

The Pacific ◽

Route Of Exposure ◽

Detrimental Impact

Microplastic pollution is a global issue that has a detrimental impact on food safety. In marine environments, microplastics are a threat to marine organisms, as they are often the same size range as prey and are mistaken as food. Consumption of microplastics has led to the damage of digestive organs and a reduction in growth and reproductive output. In this study, microplastic pollution was assessed across three commercially available shrimp species that were obtained from the supermarkets of Singapore. A total of 93 individuals were studied from the Pacific white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, the Argentine red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri and the Indian white shrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus. Microplastic fibers, fragments, film and spheres were identified from the digestive tract of these organisms. Microplastic abundance ranged from 13.4 to 7050 items. F. indicus exhibited the highest number of microplastics. Microplastic film was the most abundant in L. vannamei individuals (93–97%) and spheres were the most abundant in P. muelleri (70%) and F. indicus (61%) individuals. This study demonstrates that microplastic contamination is evident in commonly consumed shrimp and highlights the role of shrimp in the trophic transfer and accumulation of microplastics in seafood. The consumption of microplastic-containing seafood is a route of exposure to humans and has implications on human health and food security. Capsule: Microplastics were examined in three shrimp species from the supermarkets of Singapore. Microplastics ranged from 13.4 to 7050 items of shrimp.

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