MICROPLASTICS IN THE EDIBLE AND INEDIBLE TISSUES OF MUGIL CEPHALUS FROM ASHTAMUDI LAKE, A RAMSAR SITE IN KOLLAM, KERALA, INDIAGayathry S., Pathissery John Sarlin, Jeniffer Ann Thomas, Ashly Augustine, Darshitha S. and Sancia MorrisAbstract Microplastics are considered as an emerging global issue due to its detrimental effects on natural ecosystem. These microplastics have ill-effects on aquatic biota and possible hazards to human health. Contamination of fish by microplastics is a major hazard that requires special focus. We examined the presence of Microplastics in edible and inedible tissues of Mugil cephalus (Mullet) from Ashtamudi Lake, a RAMSAR site. 53.33% of the sampled 60 fishes had ingested plastic particles. The average abundance of microplastics was 0.08 ± 0.009 and 0.31 ± 0.016 items/fish respectively in the edible and inedible tissues. The most commonly found MPs were fibre (70.83%). Red and black coloured microplastics were the most commonly ingested particle. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy characterisations of the debris revealed, polyethylene as the most abundant polymer type in both edible and inedible tissue. The results point to the possibility of small-scale human ingestion of microplastics through the consumption of filter feeders from this lake. |