engleski

Microplastic occurrence and diet composition in red mullet, Mullus surmuletus, in eastern Adriatic sea

Microplastic fish ingestion has not yet been subject of scientific investigations in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Red mullet, Mullus surmuletus, has been chosen as a study organism as it is opportunistic feeder and represents benthic important commercial species. Diet composition and microplastic occurrence in red mullet stomachs were investigated. Stomach contents of red mullets (6.40 – 32.90 cm TL ; N=203) from the central part of Eastern Adriatic were sampled on a monthly basis from December 2011 to October 2012. Commonly accepted procedures were followed during the diet composition inspection and standard keys were used for food items determination. Animal species were preferential prey with predomination of crustaceans (~30%). During the visual inspection of stomach contents, the microplastic particles were separated and counted. From the 203 examined specimens, microplastic items were found in 63 stomachs. Ingested microplastics were mostly filaments in different colors. Approximately 31% of processed fish ingested plastic, averaging 8.5 pieces per fish. Our results indicated widespread occurrence and ingestion of microplastic particles in red mullet.

microplastic; diet composition; Mullus barbatus; Croatian coast

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