Research Article: Occurrence and characterization of microplastics in herring scad (Alepes vari) from Chennai coast of Bengal Bay

The escalating issue of marine plastic pollution is primarily attributed to the extensive utilization of plastics coupled with their improper disposal in oceans. Microplastics (MPs), particles measuring less than 5 mm, result from the degradation processes of larger plastics, exacerbating ocean pollution. In this research, 100 samples of a carnivorous fish, Alepes vari, from the Chennai coast of Bengal Bay were collected and analyzed for the presence of MPs, which revealed varied accumulation ratios of MPs within their gastrointestinal tract. Through hydrogen peroxide digestion of 100 fish specimens, it was found that approximately 68% contained MPs, with an average abundance of 9.5 (±0.3) particles per individual. The predominant types of MPs observed were pellets (81.34%) and films (18.66%) with brown pellets comprising the majority (25.97%). Further analysis indicated a higher concentration of MPs in the stomach compared to the intestine. Fourier transform infrared radiation analysis- attenuated total reflection confirmed the presence of Polystyrene polymer in the ingested MPs, suggesting a potential link between the dietary habits of these fish and their ingestion of microplastics.