Presence of microplastics in jellyfish (Crambionella orsini) along the Kenyan coast

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter. These plastics mostly result from degradation of larger plastics. Due to their small size, they often accidentally ingested by sea faunas, particularly the deposit and filter feeders. However, information on ingestion microplastics fauna such as jellyfish is rare. This paper provides evidence jelly fishes (Crambionella orsini) along Kenyan Coast. Samples were taken three stations (Mikindani Makupa Mombasa, Dabaso Mida Creek) between 31st January 2018 3rd February using tow nets. digested 10 % KOH at 60 °C for 24 hrs sieved through a 38 µm sieve. Products below filtered 0.8 Whatman filters, then dried an oven viewed under dissecting microscope microplastics. Suspected confirmed hot needle test. obtained mainly fibres different colours: black, blue, green, colourless, purple, red yellow. Colourless majority accounting 53 total number while purple least only 1 %. Mean concentration was highest (0.05 mp/g tissue), whereas Mikindani almost equal (i.e., 0.03 ± 0.003 Mikindani, 0.01 Makupa). Statistically, means not significantly (F1, 2 = 1.34; P 0.43). study presents contamination coastal waters jellyfish. Results this will help reinforce ban country prevent further accumulation environment.