TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparing microplastics ingested by the bogue Boops boops (Teleostei: Sparidae) to those available in its feeding areas
T2 - A case study on the Portuguese west coast
AU - Rodrigues, Diana
AU - Pequeno, João
AU - Pais, Joana
AU - Antunes, Joana
AU - Sobral, Paula
AU - Costa, Maria Helena
N1 - Funding Information:
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F04292%2F2020/PT#
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/OE/SFRH%2FBD%2F130652%2F2017/PT#
The authors thank Paulo Pereira (the fish supplier) for his collaboration and acknowledge Instituto Hidrográfico for granting access to -FTIR equipment. This work was partially supported by National Geographic Society through an Early Career Grant ( EC-397R-18 ); Clear Reef Social Fund ; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the research project BASEMAN ( JPIOCEANS/0001/2015 ), the strategic project the project LA/P/0069/2020 granted to the Associate Laboratory ARNET.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2023/12/10
Y1 - 2023/12/10
N2 - Understanding the exposure of wild marine fish to microplastics (MPs) has been frequently assessed through the quantification and characterization of MPs found in stomachal contents. However, whether such particles mirror the MPs available in the environment or suggest a selectivity ability in the species, it has been scarcely analyzed. Here, in addition to investigating temporal patterns in the abundance and diversity of MPs ingested by Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) caught in coastal waters between Setúbal and Sesimbra (Portugal), we also aimed at comparing them with the patterns of MPs occurring locally, namely where the bogue feeds: at both surface water and seabed sediments. A total of 200 fish, 50 per month, were supplied at the local fish first sale concurrently with the water and sediments sampling (from October 2018 to January 2019). Fibers accounted for 93% of all MPs ingested and were also the main type of MPs extracted from sediments. Both food intake (inferred by fish gastrointestinal tract) and abundance of MPs per fish (1.80 ± 1.26; mean ± SD, n = 102) significantly decreased during the 4 month-period analyzed. Such decreasing tendency is potentially related to this species reproduction season. Despite the distinct fluctuations observed in the abundance of MPs found in both feeding areas of the bogue, it was possible to detect similarities between fish and sediments regarding the predominance of fibers, namely those belonging to the smaller size class. Yet, the prevailing colors differed, suggesting a selection capability of the bogue. Further studies taking place in spring/summer months (out of the reproduction season) are thus needed to clarify how MPs ingestion will vary in this species and consequently interfere with its ability to mirror the MP pollution patterns in this coastal region.
AB - Understanding the exposure of wild marine fish to microplastics (MPs) has been frequently assessed through the quantification and characterization of MPs found in stomachal contents. However, whether such particles mirror the MPs available in the environment or suggest a selectivity ability in the species, it has been scarcely analyzed. Here, in addition to investigating temporal patterns in the abundance and diversity of MPs ingested by Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) caught in coastal waters between Setúbal and Sesimbra (Portugal), we also aimed at comparing them with the patterns of MPs occurring locally, namely where the bogue feeds: at both surface water and seabed sediments. A total of 200 fish, 50 per month, were supplied at the local fish first sale concurrently with the water and sediments sampling (from October 2018 to January 2019). Fibers accounted for 93% of all MPs ingested and were also the main type of MPs extracted from sediments. Both food intake (inferred by fish gastrointestinal tract) and abundance of MPs per fish (1.80 ± 1.26; mean ± SD, n = 102) significantly decreased during the 4 month-period analyzed. Such decreasing tendency is potentially related to this species reproduction season. Despite the distinct fluctuations observed in the abundance of MPs found in both feeding areas of the bogue, it was possible to detect similarities between fish and sediments regarding the predominance of fibers, namely those belonging to the smaller size class. Yet, the prevailing colors differed, suggesting a selection capability of the bogue. Further studies taking place in spring/summer months (out of the reproduction season) are thus needed to clarify how MPs ingestion will vary in this species and consequently interfere with its ability to mirror the MP pollution patterns in this coastal region.
KW - Fibers
KW - Gastrointestinal tract
KW - Marine fish
KW - Pollution
KW - Selectivity
KW - Temporal patterns
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85166337261&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103093
DO - 10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103093
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85166337261
SN - 2352-4855
VL - 65
JO - Regional Studies in Marine Science
JF - Regional Studies in Marine Science
M1 - 103093
ER -
