All-inclusive pack. Three-link food chain microplastic transfer inside Merluccius merluccius gastrointestinal tract

There is a growing concern about microplastics (MPs) pollution due to its increasing presence in natural ecosystems and especially in the marine realm. MPs along a three-link food chain (Northern krill – blue whiting – hake) were quantified from Merluccius merluccius GIT, and MPs content compared between GIT, gills and liver of three hakes caught in the Cantabrian coast (Spain). Hake preys were identified through DNA barcoding as Micromesistius poutassou and Meganyctiphanes norvegica.