Assessing the relationship between the abundance of microplastics in sediments, surface waters, and fish in the Iran southern shores.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the microplastic (MP) pollution in sediments, surface waters, and four fish species in the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. Sampling was conducted in seven important regions during December 2019. The abundance of MPs was respectively 190 ± 35.5 items/kg dry weight for sediments, 9.28 ± 2.1 items/km2 for surface waters, and 0.33 ± 0.05 items/individual for fish. There was no correlation between MP abundance in surface water, sediment, and fish samples. Except for Cynoglossus arel, abundance of isolated MPs did not show significant relationships with body weight, body length, and gastrointestinal tract weight (P > 0.05). MPs were ranged from 0.3 to 5mm in size and were prevailed by fiber in shape; black, red, and blue in color; and polypropylene and polyethylene in polymer. This study may help in increasing our knowledge regarding MP pollution in marine water systems and biota.