1. Microplastics in muscles of SEQ sharks
2. Microplastics found in intestines of SEQ sharks.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery concerning the presence of microplastics and cellulose-based fibres in the intestinal samples of four top predator shark species captured off the coast of South East Queensland (SEQ). This finding not only highlights the prevalence of these foreign materials within the marine environment but also raises questions about the potential transfer through the food chain or direct ingestion by these apex predators.
The study, spearheaded by PhD candidates Hsuan-Cheng Lu and Julia Smith from Griffith University’s ARI-TOX research group at the Australian Rivers Institute, represents the first comprehensive investigation into the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres in both the intestines and muscle tissues of large apex shark species in Australian coastal waters.
An analysis of the intestinal samples from sharks such as tiger sharks, white sharks, bull sharks, and scalloped hammerheads revealed the presence of microplastics and anthropogenic fibres in 82% of the samples, with an average abundance of 31 ± 21 particles/kg. While the levels were lower compared to those found in fish, the results indicate a concerning trend of foreign fibres infiltrating various ecosystems.
Interestingly, the majority (70%) of these fibres were identified as cellulose-based, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres. These fibres, commonly found in textiles like clothing and carpets, can be released into the environment through everyday activities such as washing and drying. Recent reports also suggest that personal care products like face masks and wet wipes could serve as additional sources of these microfibres.
Further analysis of shark muscle samples revealed that 60% contained microplastics and anthropogenic fibres, with cellulose-based fibres being the predominant type. Lu stressed the importance of standardizing methodologies to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination in future studies.
“The presence of microplastics in these large apex shark species underscores the pervasive nature of these harmful particles in our environment and the challenges we face in combating global microplastic pollution,” Lu commented. The unexpectedly high abundance of cellulose-based fibres is particularly concerning, given the prevalence of synthetic fibres in global production.
Despite being derived from natural materials like cotton or regenerated from cellulose such as rayon and viscose, cellulose-based fibres often contain chemical additives that can be released into the environment as these fibres degrade faster than their plastic counterparts. The research team also highlighted the challenges faced during sample processing and offered recommendations to improve experimental design and analytical methods for future investigations in this field.
In conclusion, the presence of microplastics and cellulose-based fibres in both the intestines and muscle tissues of apex sharks underscores the urgent need for further research on the potential risks to marine organisms and the implementation of proactive measures to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic pollution on marine ecosystems, particularly on megafauna like apex sharks. The study, titled ‘Microplastics and other anthropogenic fibres in large apex shark species: Abundance, characteristics, and recommendations for future research’, has been published in the prestigious journal Chemosphere..
microplastics in shark muscles
microplastics in shark intestines.
