Microplastic accumulation in fish from Zhanjiang mangrove wetland, South China

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in marine and estuarine environments, but the contamination of MPs in mangrove wetlands is relatively unknown. Here, we quantify the presence of MPs in fish collected from Zhanjiang mangrove wetland, the largest mangrove in South China, which provide baseline data on MPs accumulation in fish in mangrove environment as the first evidence in China. MPs were found in 30 out of 32 fish species at an average abundance of 2.83 ± 1.84 items individual−1, ranged from 0.6 to 8.0 items individual−1 in each species. MPs were detected in gills, stomach and intestine, and not found in muscles and livers. Positive relationship was found between MPs abundance and body length or weight of mangrove fish. The dominant polymers identified by micro-FTIR were polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and cellophane. MPs consisted primarily of fibers and with the prominent size range of 0.02–1 mm. The body sizes, living habitats and feeding habits of fish are important factors affecting MPs accumulation in different fish species. This study revealed the wide presences of MPs in fish species within a mangrove wetland.