Investigating microplastic contamination and biomagnification in a remote area of South Australia

Context Microplastics are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and commonly recorded water, sediment a broad spectrum of marine biota. Yet, the extent to which organisms ingest microplastics directly or indirectly by trophic transfer is largely unknown.Aims This study characterises microplastic abundance across intertidal sediment, biota species different levels, investigates whether biomagnification occurs.Methods Water, molluscs, crustaceans fish were sampled from single area southern Australia.Key results 35% 45% 39% samples. Plastic load was 0.36±0.08microplasticsg−1 DW for 0.50±0.17microplasticsL−1 0.70±0.25 individual−1 Biomagnification not found, although similarities plastic characteristics may imply transfer. Most fibres (97.5%) blue, black transparent colour. Spectral analysis (μ-FTIR) indicated that polyester (50%) polyethylene (42.3%) dominated polymer compositions.Conclusions There no significant differences contamination among species, with identified.Implications We provide information on alongside still uncommon characterisation