Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Ecological Implications of Microplastic Contamination in Benthic Fish from the Tongkou River, China.
- 1College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625000, China.
- 2Aquatic Health and Intelligent Aquaculture Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Fisheries, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Abstract
Microplastic pollution in rivers is a critical environmental threat that harms aquatic life. To understand the abundance, physical characteristics, and polymer types of microplastics, this study examined the intestinal tract of four fish groups (three individual species: Saurogobio dabryi, Squalidus argentatus, and Hemibarbus labeo; and a pooled group of four loach species: Paramisgurnus dabryanus, Triplophysa bleekeri, Oreias dabryi, and Paracobitis variegatus) collected from the Tongkou River in October 2023 and November 2024 using tissue digestion methods across different river sections. The results revealed that every single fish contained microplastics, with contamination levels significantly higher downstream than upstream. Over the study period, total microplastic counts dropped by 32 percent from 2023 to 2024. Most of the collected pellets were thin threads and small fragments measuring under one millimeter, composed mainly of common plastics and cellulose. These findings demonstrate that freshwater fish are widely exposed to small plastic fibers, showing distinct geographic and yearly trends. Ultimately, this research provides essential baseline data to help authorities develop effective strategies to reduce plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems and protect aquatic wildlife.
Related
- Microplastic contamination in commercially important marine fishes from the Sohar Coast, Sea of Oman: occurrence, characterization, and polymer composition
- Evaluating the hydrological processes governing microplastic contamination in stormwater runoff from an industrial catchment discharging into a detention basin in Lyon (France)
- Microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments of Lake Canaçari, Central Amazon, during the dry season.
- Assessment of Microplastic and Element Contamination in Fish Sold by Informal Roadside Vendors in Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Gaps in knowledge and awareness of microplastic exposure among pregnant women in South India: implications for maternal and fetal health
BibTeX
@article{wu2026spatiotemporal,
title = {{Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Ecological Implications of Microplastic Contamination in Benthic Fish from the Tongkou River, China.}},
author = {Jiayun Wu and Qingqing Liao and Yingying Ren and Linhong Zhang and Qishen Tan and Yijun Li and Qixiang Li and Yunkun Li and Xiaogang Du and Shiyong Yang},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ani16203177},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939109},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Ecological Implications of Microplastic Contamination in Benthic Fish from the Tongkou River, China.
AU - Jiayun Wu
AU - Qingqing Liao
AU - Yingying Ren
AU - Linhong Zhang
AU - Qishen Tan
AU - Yijun Li
AU - Qixiang Li
AU - Yunkun Li
AU - Xiaogang Du
AU - Shiyong Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/10
JO - Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
DO - 10.3390/ani16203177
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939109
AB - Microplastic pollution in rivers is a critical environmental threat that harms aquatic life. To understand the abundance, physical characteristics, and polymer types of microplastics, this study examined the intestinal tract of four fish groups (three individual species: Saurogobio dabryi, Squalidus argentatus, and Hemibarbus labeo; and a pooled group of four loach species: Paramisgurnus dabryanus, Triplophysa bleekeri, Oreias dabryi, and Paracobitis variegatus) collected from the Tongkou River in October 2023 and November 2024 using tissue digestion methods across different river sections. The results revealed that every single fish contained microplastics, with contamination levels significantly higher downstream than upstream. Over the study period, total microplastic counts dropped by 32 percent from 2023 to 2024. Most of the collected pellets were thin threads and small fragments measuring under one millimeter, composed mainly of common plastics and cellulose. These findings demonstrate that freshwater fish are widely exposed to small plastic fibers, showing distinct geographic and yearly trends. Ultimately, this research provides essential baseline data to help authorities develop effective strategies to reduce plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems and protect aquatic wildlife.
SN - 2076-2615
ER -