Biomonitoring of Microplastics in the Caribbean Sea with Invasive Lionfish

We collected invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.) from southwest Puerto Rico and analyzed the stomach contents and gills for microplastics (MPs). Given their widespread population and broad ecological niche, the life history characteristics of invasive lionfish are well suited for biomonitoring of MPs. We collected 56 lionfish from different depths and reefs in the same region and used both dissection and acid digestion techniques to analyze tissue. We found a high prevalence of MPs with an average load of 6.4 MPs ± 3.2 per lionfish with no pattern associated with depth, reef, or size of lionfish. Most MPs were microfibers and were blue, black, or clear in appearance. There was also a high incidence rate, 98% of lionfish had MPs in their stomach and 79% had MPs in their gills.