Occurrence and human exposure risk of microplastics in commercially important shrimp species from Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants in marine environment and monitoring studies have been conducted to understand microplastic presence in aquatic biota. However, studies addressing the microplastic abundance in invertible species are scant. This study aims to investigate presence of ingested microplastics in three commercial shrimp species (Metapenaeus monoceros, Plesionika martia and Melicertus hathor). Mean microplastic abundance (with standard error) in the digestive organs was found as 0.76 ± 1.0 MPs/ind and 0.86 ± 1.5 MPs/g wet weight. No significant difference was detected between species. Fiber (87 %), black (53 %), <500 μm (62 %) microplastic particles was dominant. A negative correlation was found between shrimp weight and ingested microplastic amount (r:-0.46, p:0.005). FTIR analysis showed polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) as identified polymers. Results proved microplastic exposure in shrimp species from İskenderun Bay and average of 14 to 441 MPs per year could be transferred to human body upon consumption. Therefore, study results showed the microplastic exposure risk depending on consumption of crustacean species and underlined the need of protective measures.