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Microplastic Contamination of Wild and Captive Flathead Grey Mullet ( Mugil cephalus )

Author

Listed:
  • Lewis T. O. Cheung

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

  • Ching Yee Lui

    (Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

  • Lincoln Fok

    (Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

A total of 60 flathead grey mullets were examined for microplastic ingestion. Thirty wild mullets were captured from the eastern coast of Hong Kong and 30 captive mullets were obtained from fish farms. Microplastic ingestion was detected in 60% of the wild mullets, with an average of 4.3 plastic items per mullet, while only 16.7% of captive mullets were found to have ingested microplastics, with an average of 0.2 items per mullet. The results suggested that wild mullets have a higher risk of microplastic ingestion than their captive counterparts. The most common plastic items were fibres that were green in colour and small in size (<2 mm). Polypropylene was the most common polymer (42%), followed by polyethylene (25%). In addition, the abundance of microplastics was positively correlated with larger body size among the mullets.

Suggested Citation

  • Lewis T. O. Cheung & Ching Yee Lui & Lincoln Fok, 2018. "Microplastic Contamination of Wild and Captive Flathead Grey Mullet ( Mugil cephalus )," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:597-:d:138091
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jung-Hwan Kwon & Jin-Woo Kim & Thanh Dat Pham & Abhrajyoti Tarafdar & Soonki Hong & Sa-Ho Chun & Sang-Hwa Lee & Da-Young Kang & Ju-Yang Kim & Su-Bin Kim & Jaehak Jung, 2020. "Microplastics in Food: A Review on Analytical Methods and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Leonardo Alberghini & Alessandro Truant & Serena Santonicola & Giampaolo Colavita & Valerio Giaccone, 2022. "Microplastics in Fish and Fishery Products and Risks for Human Health: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Chi Chiu Cheang & Yue Ma & Lincoln Fok, 2018. "Occurrence and Composition of Microplastics in the Seabed Sediments of the Coral Communities in Proximity of a Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Javier Bayo & Dolores Rojo & Pedro Martínez-Baños & Joaquín López-Castellanos & Sonia Olmos, 2021. "Commercial Gilthead Seabream ( Sparus aurata L.) from the Mar Menor Coastal Lagoon as Hotspots of Microplastic Accumulation in the Digestive System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    5. Kyle T. H. Ho & Patrick W. H. Kwok & Stephen S. Y. Chang & Amanda M. Y. Chu, 2023. "Gaps between Attitudes and Behavior in the Use of Disposable Plastic Tableware (DPT) and Factors Influencing Sustainable DPT Consumption: A Study of Hong Kong Undergraduates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, June.

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