Microplastics in two fish species from Prydz Bay and King George Island: Occurrence, characteristics and risk...

Microplastics (MPs) are detected in various environmental media in Antarctica; however, studies on MPs in Antarctic fish remain limited. This study investigated the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in two Antarctic fish species, Pagothenia borchgrevinki and Trematomus bernacchii, collected from the coastal waters of Prydz Bay and King George Island. The detection rates of MPs were 87.5% for P. borchgrevinki and 75% for T. bernacchii. The average abundance of MPs was significantly higher in P. borchgrevinki from King George Island (15.0 ± 6.11 items/individual) than in Prydz Bay (3.9 ± 1.79 items/individual), whereas no significant geographic difference was found for T. bernacchii. MPs were more abundant in gill tissues than in the gastrointestinal tracts across all samples. The majority of MPs were fibers (>80%), with black and blue being the dominant colors. Rayon was the predominant polymer type, accounting for 63-80% of the identified MPs. Risk assessment using the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated low contamination levels (Level I), whereas the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) revealed a high hazard level (Level IV) in P. borchgrevinki from King George Island, attributed to the presence of high-risk polymers such as PVC. This study provides critical baseline data on MP pollution in Antarctic fish and underscores the urgent need for enhanced waste management and environmental protection in the region.