Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Microplastics distribution and possible ingestion by fish in lacustrine waters (Lake Bracciano, Italy)

TitleMicroplastics distribution and possible ingestion by fish in lacustrine waters (Lake Bracciano, Italy)
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsCera, A., Sighicelli Maria, Sodo A., Lecce Francesca, Menegoni Patrizia, and Scalici M.
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
ISSN09441344
Abstract

Understanding the spatial distribution patterns of microplastics (plastics < 5 mm) contributes to the assessment of sources and sinks of pollution thus providing information for the management of biota safety and overall ecosystem functionality. We chose a semi-closed study area, Lake Bracciano (Italy), to assess the environmental variability of contamination, focusing on the water compartment and the exposure of biota, specifically fish, by analysing the ingestion of microplastics. The focus of this study is to evaluate the concentration of microplastics in water (surface and column) across the lake and the ingestion of microplastics by two fish species of economic interest: Atherina boyeri and Coregonus lavaretus, inhabiting demersal and pelagic habitats respectively. Results show a surface contamination of 392,000 ± 417,000 items km−2 and a column one of 0.76 ± 1.00 items m−3. Fragments were the most abundant in surface while fibres in the column. Microplastics were found in C. lavaretus specimens, corresponding to contamination frequency of 5% and concentration of 0.15 items/fish. The main polymer found in water was polyethylene (81%); of minor percentages, there were various other polymers, including polystyrene and acrylic, which were also found in fish. As scientific literature provides few research where water and fish are simultaneously sampled, this investigation wants to contribute filling this knowledge gap by investigating for the first time a volcanic lake. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Notes

cited By 0

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85129741958&doi=10.1007%2fs11356-022-20403-x&partnerID=40&md5=30cdfea5fba0a054ed5378f151a651d3
DOI10.1007/s11356-022-20403-x
Citation KeyCera2022