Microplastics in seawater and fish acquired from the corresponding fishing zones of the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Microplastics in seawater and fish from the Baltic Sea were analyzed. The significant contribution of the study is due to extensive collection of fish and surface water samples from corresponding fishing zones. Microplastics were detected in 100 % of seawater and 61 % of fish samples. The abundances of microplastics were 19,984 ± 8858 items/m³ (seawater) and 3.3 items/fish in the fish organs. The average dimension was 1.08 ± 1.19 mm (seawater), and 0.77 ± 0.84 mm (fish). In 106 out of 178 specimens (61 %), MPs were found in the gills (46 %), digestive tract (38 %), or liver (16 %). Fiber was the most dominant shape found in seawater (91.7 %) and fish (68.3 %), while the dominant color of items was blue. Items were mostly composed of polyethylene (21 %), polypropylene (20 %), cellophane (16 %), polyamide (9 %), and polyacrylate (8 %).