Microparticles in fish muscle and gastrointestinal samples from Sarasota Bay, FL

Microplastics have been found in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluid of
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), inhabiting Sarasota Bay, FL,
suggesting exposure by ingestion, possibly via contaminated fish. To
better understand the potential for trophic transfer, muscle and GI
tissues from 11 species of dolphin prey fish collected from Sarasota Bay
were screened for microplastics (particles <5mm diameter).
Suspected microplastics were found in 82% of muscle samples (n=89), and
97% of GI samples (n=86). Particle abundance and shapes varied by species
(p<0.05) and foraging habit (omnivore vs. carnivore,
p<0.05). Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) had the highest particle
abundance for both tissue types (muscle: 0.38 particles/g; GI: 15.20
particles/g), which has implications for dolphins as they are a common
prey item. Findings from this study support research demonstrating the
ubiquity of estuarine plastic contamination and underscore the risks of
ingestion exposure for wildlife and potentially seafood consumers.