| dc.description.abstract | In recent years, widespread accumulation and dispersal of microplastic particles (< 5mm) has been highlighted as an emerging threat to the marine environment and organisms. The ingestion of microplastics by marine fauna has been reported in several areas worldwide. However, evidence of trophic transfer of microplastics across aquatic food chains is still limited to only a fraction of species. This study aims to assess how microplastics are being ingested by marine organisms of different trophic levels in the benthic and pelagic food web of Saronikos Gulf (Central Aegean Sea). Five species with defined trophic connections were selected (Boops boops, Sardina pilchardus, Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, and Parapeneus longirostris). On the one hand, to inspect the differences in the amount and types of ingested microplastics between the species, and on the other hand, to correlate these variations in the selected species to their trophic position to assess the potential bioamplification of microplastics within the food web. Microplastics were found in shrimp, and all fish examined. The ingested microplastics have a frequency of occurrence that was significantly higher in P. longirostris (66,67%), while in fish, the average number did not vary among species (ranging from 33,3 in S. pilchards to 43,3 in M. merluccius). Microplastic abundance was also highest in P. longirostris (2,43 items/individual), and for fish, it ranged from 0.63 to 0,78. The most common shape of microplastics observed in all species was fibres commonly found in blue colour and transparent. The size of most microplastics belonged to the range of 1.0–5.0 mm, even though it varied. No correlation was found between microplastic abundance and trophic level, indicating no higher abundances have been detected in higher trophic levels. The findings can be utilized to set baseline values for evaluating the Saronikos Gulf’s microplastic pollution and as an initial test on trophic transfer in the marine environment. | |
