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Microplastics in Commercially Important Small Pelagic Fish Species From South Africa
This study documented the levels of microplastics in three commercially
important small pelagic fish species in South African waters, namely
European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), West Coast round herring (Etrumeus whiteheadi) and South African sardine (Sardinops sagax). Data suggested variation between species with a higher concentration of microplastics for S. sagax (mean of 1.58 items individual–1) compared to Et. whiteheadi (1.38 items individual–1) and En. encrasicolus (1.13 items individual–1). The occurrence of microplastics was also higher for S. sagax (72%) and Et. whiteheadi (72%) compared to En. encrasicolus
(57%). Microfibers accounted for 80% of ingested microplastics (the
remainder were plastic fragments) with the main ingested polymers being
poly(ethylene:propylene:diene) (33% occurrence), polyethylene (20%),
polyamide (20%), polyester (20%), and polypropylene (7%). The abundance
of ingested items was not significantly correlated with fish caudal
length or body weight, and spatial investigation indicated an increase
in the abundance of ingested items from the West to the South coast. Etrumeus whiteheadi is proposed as a bio-indicator for microplastics for South Africa.
Status: Completed
Type: Staff Publications
Year of publication: 2020
Publisher: Frontiers in Marine Science
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