Ingested Microplastics in 18 Local Fish Species from the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Plastic waste and its fragments (microplastics, <5 mm) are a global, persistent, ubiquitous threat for land marine ecosystems. We have investigated the occurrence composition of microplastics within 18 coastal fish species northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Digestive tracts were digested using hydrogen peroxide, residues observed under stereo-microscope. Suspected analyzed with Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometer to confirm plastic nature identify polymer type. A rigorous blank control FTIR correction was applied, leading removal 78% initially sorted suspected particles. Corrected concentrations range from 0.00 5.15 items per fish, result same than this has been reported other previously in area. Fibers, made polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), acrylic (A) polypropylene (PP), largely dominate microplastic shapes (91%). single driving force could not be identified, but several traits (morphology, feeding, habitat) may influence number ingested microplastics.