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Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
Published on: July 1, 2017
Analysis and inorganic composition of microplastics in commercial Malaysian fish meals
Samaneh Karbalaei1, Abolfazl Golieskardi2, Dorothy Uning Watt3
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Presence of microplastics (MPs) in a broad range of wild and cultured marine organisms is well-documented, but transfer mechanisms by which cultured organisms are contaminated with MPs is poorly understood. MP loads in three Malaysian commercial brands of fish meal were investigated. Chemical composition of extracted MP-like particles was confirmed using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Inorganic composition of MPs and pigment particles were assessed through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Out of 336 extracted particles, 64.3% were plastic polymers, 25% pigment particles, 4.2% non-plastic items, and 6.5% were unidentified. Fragments were the dominant form of MPs (78.2%) followed by filaments (13.4%) and films (8.4%). This study demonstrates that cultured organisms could be exposed to high levels of MPs via MP contaminated fish/shellfish used in fish meal production. Fish meal replacement with other sources of protein including meat meals and plant-based meals may mitigate MP exposure to cultured or farmed organisms.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) contaminate farmed marine life through fish meal. Replacing fish meal with alternative proteins can reduce this microplastic exposure in cultured organisms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) contamination is prevalent in marine organisms, yet pathways to cultured species remain unclear.
- Fish meal is a common feed ingredient for aquaculture, potentially serving as a vector for MPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microplastic loads in commercial fish meal brands in Malaysia.
- To identify the composition and forms of microplastic-like particles in fish meal.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of particles from three Malaysian fish meal brands.
- Chemical composition analysis using micro-Raman spectroscopy.
- Inorganic composition assessment via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
Main Results:
- 64.3% of extracted particles were identified as plastic polymers.
- Fragments constituted the dominant microplastic form (78.2%).
- Pigment particles comprised 25% of the extracted materials.
Conclusions:
- Fish meal can be a significant source of microplastic exposure for cultured marine organisms.
- Alternative protein sources like meat and plant-based meals may reduce microplastic contamination in aquaculture feed.
