Documentation of Microplastics in Tissues of Wild Coastal Animals

Microplastic pollution is omnipresent in biota around the globe, and concerns are rising that humans exposed to microplastics (MP) through food. Investigations of MP wild animals relevant for human consumption effects birds mammals warranted. We investigated concentrations organs tissues fish, seabirds, terrestrial marine from a plastic polluted area near Bergen, Norway. A standardized autopsy included evaluation condition, bacteriological histopathological analyzes. Tissues were analyzed (>10 µm) by pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (py-GCMS) inspected polarized light microscopy. samples stomach intestinal wall, liver muscle/fillet three flounders, cod, otters one seal, kidneys gills fishes. No large items observed gastrointestinal tracts. Eight 13 had or several tissues. was found intestine (5), (4), (3), muscle (3). only wall otter. In intestine, liver, but not muscle. The highest concentration 3.4 µg/g wet weight cod liver. Three nine polymers above Limit Quantification (LOQ): Polyvinylchloride>polystyrene>>polyethylene terephthalate. quantified four replicates two results show levels under close current LOQ. Replicates indicate uneven distribution resulted higher prevalence cod. adverse could be related MP. sample size small, conclusions cannot drawn regarding risks. by-catch, mostly good condition when caught. Procedural blanks air-controls showed very low MP, support come environmental sources. Further studies needed determine microplastic edible wildlife exposure food web.