Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a significant environmental concern globally, with emerging evidence indicating their widespread presence in marine ecosystems. Among the diverse range of aquatic organisms affected by MPs, shrimp occupy a crucial ecological niche and serve as a valu...

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Main Authors: Sancia Morris, Pathissery John Sarlin, Sandie Morris, Polycarp Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Discover Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00212-y
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author Sancia Morris
Pathissery John Sarlin
Sandie Morris
Polycarp Joseph
author_facet Sancia Morris
Pathissery John Sarlin
Sandie Morris
Polycarp Joseph
author_sort Sancia Morris
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a significant environmental concern globally, with emerging evidence indicating their widespread presence in marine ecosystems. Among the diverse range of aquatic organisms affected by MPs, shrimp occupy a crucial ecological niche and serve as a valuable food source for marine predators and human consumption. This study reports MP content in the gastrointestinal tracts of four species of commercially important penaeid shrimps—Fenneropenaeus indicus, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus and Metapenaeus affinis from the marine waters of Kerala, India. The gastrointestinal tract of shrimps was examined for MPs following alkali digestion, microscopic observation, and chemical analysis using ATR FTIR and Raman Spectrum Analysis. A total of 108, 74, 125 and 382 MP items were found in F. indicus, P. monodon, P. semisulcatus and M. affinis averaging 1.08 ± 2, 0.74 ± 2, 1.25 ± 2 and 1.91 ± 2 items/species, respectively. Among the various shapes fibre (31.8%), pellet (32.4%), sphere (33.38%) and fragment (2.47%) were present. Different colours of MPs such as black, blue, red, and transparent were identified. The ATR FTIR data confirmed the presence of 16 particles of polyethylene, 14 of polyvinyl chloride, 9 of nylon 66, 10 of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), 11 of polystyrene and 9 non-plastic particles. These results provide baseline data of MP contamination in commercially important penaeid shrimps from Kerala, which should be useful for future monitoring efforts.
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spelling doaj-art-9c220684f960419f94e56b64f5e2cad12025-08-20T03:04:11ZengSpringerDiscover Environment2731-94312025-02-013112010.1007/s44274-025-00212-yMicroplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian SeaSancia Morris0Pathissery John Sarlin1Sandie Morris2Polycarp Joseph3Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, IOC Bhuvneshwar OdishaPG and Research Department of Zoology, Fatima Mata National College (Autonomous), University of KeralaKollam Birding BattalionKollam Birding BattalionAbstract Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a significant environmental concern globally, with emerging evidence indicating their widespread presence in marine ecosystems. Among the diverse range of aquatic organisms affected by MPs, shrimp occupy a crucial ecological niche and serve as a valuable food source for marine predators and human consumption. This study reports MP content in the gastrointestinal tracts of four species of commercially important penaeid shrimps—Fenneropenaeus indicus, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus and Metapenaeus affinis from the marine waters of Kerala, India. The gastrointestinal tract of shrimps was examined for MPs following alkali digestion, microscopic observation, and chemical analysis using ATR FTIR and Raman Spectrum Analysis. A total of 108, 74, 125 and 382 MP items were found in F. indicus, P. monodon, P. semisulcatus and M. affinis averaging 1.08 ± 2, 0.74 ± 2, 1.25 ± 2 and 1.91 ± 2 items/species, respectively. Among the various shapes fibre (31.8%), pellet (32.4%), sphere (33.38%) and fragment (2.47%) were present. Different colours of MPs such as black, blue, red, and transparent were identified. The ATR FTIR data confirmed the presence of 16 particles of polyethylene, 14 of polyvinyl chloride, 9 of nylon 66, 10 of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), 11 of polystyrene and 9 non-plastic particles. These results provide baseline data of MP contamination in commercially important penaeid shrimps from Kerala, which should be useful for future monitoring efforts.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00212-yMicroplasticsShrimpContaminationMarine ecosystemsHuman healthTrophic transfer
spellingShingle Sancia Morris
Pathissery John Sarlin
Sandie Morris
Polycarp Joseph
Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
Discover Environment
Microplastics
Shrimp
Contamination
Marine ecosystems
Human health
Trophic transfer
title Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
title_full Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
title_fullStr Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
title_full_unstemmed Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
title_short Microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the Arabian Sea
title_sort microplastic ingestion and retention in penaeid shrimp from the arabian sea
topic Microplastics
Shrimp
Contamination
Marine ecosystems
Human health
Trophic transfer
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00212-y
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AT polycarpjoseph microplasticingestionandretentioninpenaeidshrimpfromthearabiansea