Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus and Parrotfish Scarus ghobban from the Local Market of Zamboanga City, Philippines

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a global problem. In a particular area of concern, Rabbitfish and Parrotfish are good bioindicators of microplastic pollution because they have high site fidelity. This study aimed to investigate the MPs contamination in Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus and Parrotfish Scarus ghobban sold in the local public market of Zamboanga City, Philippines. Thirty-five (35) samples of each fish bought from the local Magay public market, Zamboanga City, were subjected to MP’s laboratory analysis. The study revealed that all fish samples had MPs in their guts. Rabbitfish have greater MPs at 51.97 per sample than Parrotfish at 19.29 per sample. Regression analysis showed a significant negative relationship between the weight and length of Rabbitfish and the MPs abundance but no significant difference in Parrotfish; most of the MPs ingested by both species can be attributed to the area where they are caught. Blue filaments are the most present in Rabbitfish, while red filaments are most present in Parrotfish. These filaments are from terrestrial sources, mainly from textiles washed into the oceans via rivers and sewers from households.