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Publication
Ingestion of microplastics by wild and aquaculture commercially important species
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A ocorrência de microplásticos já foi documentada em várias espécies marinhas,
tanto selvagens quanto de aquacultura. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a presença
de partículas (possivelmente microplásticos) no trato gastrointestinal de espécies com
importância comercial (Dicentrarchus labrax, robalo; Sparus aurata, dourada e Diplodus
sargus, sargo) na Ria Formosa (Portugal). Para além de investigar a ingestão em peixes
salvagens, este estudo pretende ainda comparar a abundância de partículas entre os
indivíduos selvagens e de aquacultura.
Neste estudo foram analisados 100 indivíduos. O trato gastrointestinal dos
mesmos foi digerido e posteriormente observado à lupa. Foram encontradas partículas em
32 dos 60 indivíduos selvagens e em 15 dos 40 indivíduos provenientes de aquacultura.
Todas as espécies selvagens apresentaram uma percentagem de ingestão semelhante,
enquanto que na aquacultura a S. aurata registou uma percentagem maior de ingestão de
partículas, quando comparada com D. labrax. O número médio de partículas por peixe
foi maior para os indivíduos selvagens, sendo superior a 1 em todas as espécies, enquanto
o robalo e a dourada de aquacultura registaram uma média de 0,6 e de 0,45 partículas por
peixe, respetivamente. O tipo de partículas predominante foi a fibra e a cor mais
frequentemente observada foi o azul, tanto em indivíduos selvagens quanto em
aquacultura.
Como os potenciais riscos dos microplásticos para a saúde humana ainda são
incertos, é imperativo comparar os seus níveis de ocorrência em espécies selvagens e de
aquacultura. Esta tese é um contributo para a crescente literatura nesta temática
ABSTRACT: The occurrence of microplastics has already been documented in several wild marine and aquaculture species. This study aims to analyze the presence of possible microplastic particles in the gastrointestinal tract of commercially important species (Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata and Diplodus sargus) from Ria Formosa (Portugal). It also intends to compare the abundance of particles between wild and aquaculture sea bass and seabream. A total of 100 GIT samples were visually inspected with a stereomicroscope after digestion. Particles were present in 32 out of 60 wild individuals and in 15 out of 40 aquaculture individuals. All 3 wild species had similar ingestion percentage, while in aquaculture S. aurata registered a higher percentage compared to D. labrax. The average number of particles per fish was higher for wild individuals. All wild species recorded values greater than 1 while aquaculture sea bass and gilthead seabream recorded 0.6 and 0.45 particles per fish, respectively. The most frequent type and color of particles were fibers and blue, both in wild and aquaculture individuals. Since microplastics potential risks to human health are still uncertain, it is imperative to assess its levels in wild and aquaculture species that are most consumed by humans.
ABSTRACT: The occurrence of microplastics has already been documented in several wild marine and aquaculture species. This study aims to analyze the presence of possible microplastic particles in the gastrointestinal tract of commercially important species (Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata and Diplodus sargus) from Ria Formosa (Portugal). It also intends to compare the abundance of particles between wild and aquaculture sea bass and seabream. A total of 100 GIT samples were visually inspected with a stereomicroscope after digestion. Particles were present in 32 out of 60 wild individuals and in 15 out of 40 aquaculture individuals. All 3 wild species had similar ingestion percentage, while in aquaculture S. aurata registered a higher percentage compared to D. labrax. The average number of particles per fish was higher for wild individuals. All wild species recorded values greater than 1 while aquaculture sea bass and gilthead seabream recorded 0.6 and 0.45 particles per fish, respectively. The most frequent type and color of particles were fibers and blue, both in wild and aquaculture individuals. Since microplastics potential risks to human health are still uncertain, it is imperative to assess its levels in wild and aquaculture species that are most consumed by humans.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Ispa – Instituto
Universitário para obtenção de grau de
Mestre na especialidade de Biologia
Marinha e Conservação.
Keywords
Sea bass Gilthead seabream White seabream Gastrointestinal tract Sea bass Gilthead seabream White seabream Gastrointestinal tract