Accumulation of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Commercial Fish Species from the Waters of Qatar, Arabian Gulf

Mohamed, A., Dib, S., Al-Khayat, F., Mohammed, A., Subramanian, V., Al-Khayat, J., and Vethamony, P., 2024. Accumulation of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of commercial fish species in the waters of Qatar, Arabian Gulf. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 880-884. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Microplastic (MP) contamination in the aquatic environment is due to the loss of the pre-production plastic pellets during manufacturing or transport. Human exposure to marine MPs is primarily via ingestion of contaminated marine organisms such as fish, which are consumed especially along with gut and liver. The Environmental Science Center of Qatar University is studying the land and marine based plastic pollution of the Arabian Gulf, and its implication to the seafood of Qatar under the framework of food security and food safety of Qatar to find out the possible risks posed by the local fish species. In this context, we have evaluated the presence of MPs in the commercially relevant fish species (Hamour, Safi, Sheri and Sheam) from the Qatar waters. A stereomicroscope was used to investigate and categorize the size, shape and colour of MPs. A total of 488 plastic-like particles were found under microscopic analysis. Fiber is the most prevalent shape of plastic-like particles (61.7% of the total detected particles) with a size range of 0.1-0.5 mm, and predominantly in red and blue colours. Furthermore, a micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to identify and confirm the polymer composition of MPs extracted from the fish GITs. The micro-Raman spectroscopy results reveal that only 24 particles were MPs and the remaining were non-plastics. PP and PE were the most dominant polymer types. Among the studied species, only Safi fish had ingested MPs. However, more samples to be analyzed before making a general statement, and that work is in progress, and if it is confirmed, Safi fish could be used as a bio-indicator for future MP bio-monitoring programs.