Microplastics in water and their influence in the species Chelon labrosus

Abstract

IThe presence of microplastics in water negatively affects marine species, and sufficient measures must be taken to eradicate marine pollution. Ingestion of microplastic particles (MP) affects organisms, including organ damage, gastrointestinal obstruction and growth restriction. Thus, this research evaluated the presence of microplastics in the marine species Chelon labrosus (thicklip grey mullet) from the fisherma’s wharf of Chorrillos in Lima, Peru. The study followed a protocol for sampling and analysis of microplastics in surface marine waters, where six samples (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6) of Chelon labrosus of different sizes (small, medium and large) were chosen and worked with their digestive tract. The visualization and identification of microplastics (MP) was performed by stereoscope images and infrared spectrometry analysis (FTIR), respectively. The results showed predominance of microplastics in the form of fibers in the samples analyzed. Finally, the study identified the presence of 04 types of microplastics in the species Chelon Labrosus, including cellophane, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly (4-methycaprolactam) and poly (2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl vinyl ether), and evidence that microplastic contamination is an emerging threat to that species, which will allow future studies to explain the factors that influence the occurrence of MP in the water and its influence on other marine species.