Ocean predators as indicators of nano- and microplastic prevalence in pelagic food webs

Quantifying nano- and microplastics (NMPs) in ocean predators is fundamental to understanding the prevalence of these contaminants and potential impacts on ecosystem health. Pyrolysis gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with lipid correction was used to determine NMP concentrations and polymer composition in the muscle tissue of two pelagic predators (dolphinfish [ Coryphaena hippurus ], yellowfin tuna [ Thunnus albacares ]) across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Five polymers (polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon-66) accounted for ~ 99% of the total NMP concentration detected in both species. Differences in NMP concentrations were observed between the two species, with body burdens often markedly lower in yellowfin tuna relative to dolphinfish within the same region or ocean basin. Polyethylene was the dominant polymer present in the muscle tissue of both species followed by nylon-66, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Spatial variation in polymer composition and NMP concentrations was observed, indicating that NMP signatures may serve as markers of an individual’s recent or integrated exposure history. No relationship between NMP body burden and trophic position was observed for either species, with trophic position of yellowfin tuna consistently higher than dolphinfish in nearly all regions examined despite displaying lower NMP concentrations. Our findings establish that NMPs are pervasive in the muscle tissue of higher-order predators in pelagic ecosystems across all three ocean basins.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-10-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72552-5
Primary Topic
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Ocean predators as indicators of nano- and microplastic prevalence in pelagic food webs

R. J. David Wells, Julian G. Pepperell, Brad L. Smith, Karl Kaiser et al.
Scientific Reports
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
article

Ocean predators as indicators of nano- and microplastic prevalence in pelagic food webs

R. J. David Wells, Julian G. Pepperell, Brad L. Smith, Karl Kaiser, Michael A. Dance, Daniel Lino Lippi, Beatrice Padovani Ferreira, Michelle Zapp Sluis, Alexandra Prouse, Alejandro Acosta, Ryan M. Tharp, Shoou‐Jeng Joung, Chi-Ju Yu, Sébastien Jaquemet, Phillip J. Sanchez, Piero Addis, Landes Lee Randall, Anna Traina, Bonnie J. Holmes, Jay R. Rooker, M. Gažo, Owyn E. Snodgrass, Michael B. Gahn, Firdes Saadet Karakulak
article en

Abstract

Quantifying nano- and microplastics (NMPs) in ocean predators is fundamental to understanding the prevalence of these contaminants and potential impacts on ecosystem health. Pyrolysis gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with lipid correction was used to determine NMP concentrations and polymer composition in the muscle tissue of two pelagic predators (dolphinfish [ Coryphaena hippurus ], yellowfin tuna [ Thunnus albacares ]) across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Five polymers (polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon-66) accounted for ~ 99% of the total NMP concentration detected in both species. Differences in NMP concentrations were observed between the two species, with body burdens often markedly lower in yellowfin tuna relative to dolphinfish within the same region or ocean basin. Polyethylene was the dominant polymer present in the muscle tissue of both species followed by nylon-66, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Spatial variation in polymer composition and NMP concentrations was observed, indicating that NMP signatures may serve as markers of an individual’s recent or integrated exposure history. No relationship between NMP body burden and trophic position was observed for either species, with trophic position of yellowfin tuna consistently higher than dolphinfish in nearly all regions examined despite displaying lower NMP concentrations. Our findings establish that NMPs are pervasive in the muscle tissue of higher-order predators in pelagic ecosystems across all three ocean basins.

Scientific Reports
Brigham Young University–Hawaii (US), Louisiana State University (US), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (PA), North Carolina State University (US), National Taiwan Ocean University (TW), Texas A&M University at Galveston (US), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (US), University of Cagliari (IT), University of the Sunshine Coast (AU), University of Reunion Island (RE), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), Texas College (US), Noosa Hospital (AU), NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center (US), Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IT), National Research Council (IT), Écologie Marine Tropicale des Océans Pacifique et Indien (RE), Istanbul University (TR), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), Texas A&M University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
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