Microplastic occurrence in fish species from the Iquitos region in Peru, western Amazonia

ABSTRACT The contamination of aquatic environments by microplastic has become a major threat to biodiversity. presence is documented in the fauna oceans, but, Amazon basin, reports on occurrence are few. present study surveyed fishes an area Peruvian Amazon. We sampled 61 specimens 15 commercial species from local markets city Iquitos, Loreto Department. detected total 2337 particles, 1096 gills and 1241 internal organs (esophagus, stomach, intestine, liver, gonads, pancreas, swim bladder heart). prevalence particles was 100% overall average abundance 38.3 per individual (17.9 20.3 organs). Most were found carnivorous fish. There no correlation particle with fish standard length weight. These results provided evidence degree region Iquitos.