Excerpts from the manuscript “Microplastics in Marine Sediments and Rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) from Selected Coastal Areas of Negros Oriental, Philippines” by Lilibeth A. Bucol, et al. of the Biology Department of Negros Oriental State University. Other authors are from the Chemistry Department of NORSU, Silliman University-Angelo King Center for Research & Environmental Management, and the School of Mathematics & Natural Sciences of Arizona State University, USA.
I am quoting some paragraphs of this paper which reports the joint research project of NORSU and SUAKCREM on the subject of microplastics. This is done to inform people of the possible consequences of ingesting certain seafoods. Ultimately, the whole paper will be published in an international journal.
Microplastics in the marine environment pose a health risk to the consumers of marine fishery resources.
The Philippines is currently ranked as the third top producer of plastic wastes, yet little research has been conducted on marine plastic pollution in this fishery-dependent, developing country.
This study is the first in the nation to quantify and characterize microplastics in beach sand and rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) in the coastal areas of Negros Oriental, central Philippines.
Across all sites, the diversity of microplastics polymer types was highest in the guts of S. fuscescens from Dumaguete, a densely populated city.
Microplastic particles extracted from subtidal sediment samples from Silliman Beach in Dumaguete were dominated by semi-synthetic microfibers (rayon), probably from clothing and textiles.
However, these microplastic types were absent in the guts of fish, likely due to differences in the feeding habitats of these organisms.
This study confirms for the first time the presence and diversity of microplastics in seafood and marine sediments in the Philippines.
The presence of MPs in the marine environment increases their bioavailability potential to marine organisms (Cauwenberghe et al., 2015), while at the same time, enhancing the risk of bioaccumulation of chemical substances found in MPs since the particles can be incorporated by living organisms (Imhof et al., 2012).
Exposure to MPs has been associated with the number of negative health effects, such as increased immune response, decreased food consumption, weight loss, decreased growth rate, decreased fecundity, energy depletion, and negative impacts on subsequent generations, as well as accumulated POPs including pesticides, solvents and pharmaceuticals which may result in endocrine disruption and morbidity (Lusher et al., 2017).
This study aimed to provide the first characterization and quantification of microplastics in marine subtidal sediments and two commercially- exploited fishery resources from selected coastal waters of Negros Oriental, central Philippines. The study was conducted in selected localities in Negros Oriental, central Philippines.
Rabbitfish and bivalves were sampled from October 2018 to January 2019 in areas where there are existing fisheries (Dumaguete, Bais, and Ayungon for S. fuscescens).
Subtidal marine sediments were also sampled off Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City from October to December 2018.
This pilot study highlights the confirmation of microplastics in marine sediment samples and seafood resources (fishes and clams) in Negros Oriental, with the highest diversity of polymer types represented in a densely populated locality (i.e. Dumaguete).
Aside from consuming the flesh of the rabbitfish S. fuscescens, a number of locals consume the salted guts (locally known as dayok) as delicacy, while tissues of bivalves are directly consumed.
Although the primary source of these microplastics is not clear, e.g. whether derived directly from land-based sources or from high degraded, transported marine debris, this study also highlights the need for additional research on the potential partitioning of different types and sizes of microplastics in different components of the marine environment.
A better understanding of both the sources and the types of microplastics entering marine environments and seafood can help inform improved management of local and regional solid waste.
Lastly, to better understand the impacts of microplastics on marine and human health, future studies should include quantification of phthalates and other associated contaminants in a diversity of marine environments and seafood.
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