First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea.
This study focuses, for the first time, on the presence of plastic debris in the stomach contents of large pelagic fish (Xiphias gladius, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus alalunga) caught in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2013. Results highlighted the ingestion of plastics in the 18.2% of samples. The plastics ingested were microplastics (<5mm), mesoplastics (5-25mm) and macroplastics (>25mm). These preliminary results represent an important initial phase in exploring two main ecotoxicological aspects: (a) the assessment of the presence and impact of plastic debris on these large pelagic fish, and (b) the potential effects related to the transfer of contaminants on human health.
ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy. Electronic address: teresa.romeo@isprambiente.it.
Teresa
T
Romeo
ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy. Electronic address: pietro.battaglia@isprambiente.it.
Battaglia
B
Pietro
ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy. Electronic address: cristinapeda@gmail.com.
Cristina
C
Pedà
ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy. Electronic address: pierpaolo.consoli@isprambiente.it.
Pierpaolo
P
Consoli
ISPRA, Residence Marbela, via Salvatore Puglisi 9, 90143 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: franco.andaloro@isprambiente.it.
Franco
F
Andaloro
University of Siena, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Italy. Electronic address: fossi@unisi.it.
Maria Cristina
MC
Fossi
D000818:Animals; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D010473:Perciformes; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D013270:Stomach; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Large pelagic fish; Marine litter; Mediterranean; Plastic ingestion; Stomach content