Microplastic in Apex Predators: Plastic Found in Shark Species, Fish in South-East Queensland

The latest report discovered that microplastic and cellulose-based fibers were found in Apex Predators, particularly species of sharks on the coast of South East Queensland (SEQ). Read here.

Microplastic is a major global concern that can impact human population and the environment. The massive production of plastics leads to environmental problems.

The urgent reduction of plastic is crucial to prevent the microplastic impact on marine animals that suffer from climate change and pollution.

Microplastic in Apex Predators

Apex predators, like sharks, have also fallen victim to microplastics. According to a report by Griffith University, researchers raised concerns over the abundance of of following:

• cellulose-based fibers in sharks
• microplastics in sharks

The report explained that the majority of fibers were identified as cellulose-based and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. The said fibers are found in the following:

• clothing
• ther textile materials
• face masks

Researchers monitored different sharks over the coast of South East Queensland (SEQ). The possible ingestion of microplastics was detected in apex sharks' muscles and intestines. The research findings were published in Chemosphere journal.

In the report, the researchers discovered the anthropogenic fibers in different sharks, specifically the following:

• Bull sharks
• White sharks
• Tiger sharks
• Scalloped hammerheads

"While microplastics have been widely reported in the marine environment and marine organisms at different trophic levels, our knowledge about the exposure and ingestion of microplastics by marine megafauna, such as whales and sharks, is still limited," Hsuan-Cheng Lu, from Griffith University's ARI-TOX, said, as quoted in a report published in Phys.org.

The alarming microplastic in shark samples showed the widespread impact of plastic pollution on marine animals. Understanding the microplastic exposure will be helpful for conservation and protection efforts.

"The presence of microplastics and cellulose-based fibers not only in the intestines but also in muscle tissues underscores the urgent need for further research on the potential risk to marine organisms and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic pollution on marine ecosystems, particularly on megafauna such as apex sharks," Hsuan-Cheng Lu added, as quoted in the same report.

Microplastics found in Gold Fish

In the previous NWN report, microplastics can threaten the population of goldfish and marine ecosystems. The report was published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology.

Exposure to microplastic pollutants can impact the productivity and behavior of goldfish. It can become stressors that impact their survival, damaging their endocrine systems.

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