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Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress

Springer Nature
Scientific Reports
Authors:
Chelsea M Rochman
Chelsea M Rochman
Chelsea M Rochman
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Eunha Hoh
Eunha Hoh
Eunha Hoh
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Tomofumi Kurobe at University of California, Davis
Tomofumi Kurobe
Swee J Teh at University of California, Davis
Swee J Teh
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Plastic debris litters aquatic habitats globally, the majority of which is microscopic (< 1 mm), and is ingested by a large range of species. Risks associated with such small fragments come from the material itself and from chemical pollutants that sorb to it from surrounding water. Hazards associated with the complex mixture of plastic and accumulated pollutants are largely unknown. Here, we show that fish, exposed to a mixture of polyethylene with chemical pollutants sorbed from the marine environment, bioaccumulate these chemical pollutants and suffer liver toxicity and pathology. Fish fed virgin polyethylene fragments also show signs of stress, although less severe than fish fed marine polyethylene fragments. We provide baseline information regarding the bioaccumulation of chemicals and associated health effects from plastic ingestion in fish and demonstrate that future assessments should consider the complex mixture of the plastic material and their associated chemical pollutants.
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Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stre
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  • WATER AIR SOIL POLL
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Chapter
Full-text available
  • Jan 2025
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