Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in the Alimentary Tract of Demersal and Pelagic Fishes from the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat

Maity S, Prabhadevi L, Karthikeyan K and Jayanthi G

Published on: 2024-12-04

Abstract

This study examined the occurrence of microplastic contamination in their gut content of fish species collected from four coastal locations of Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. The fish assemblage represented 11 families, with Mugilidae and Ariidae being the most dominant. Analysis of habitat preferences and feeding guilds revealed a balanced community structure with both demersal and pelagic species, as well as a mix of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, and filter feeders. The highest microplastic contamination levels were observed in the demersal catfish Arius jella (15%) and the pelagic flat-head grey mullet Mugil cephalus (14%), suggesting that both habitat preferences and feeding strategies influence plastic ingestion. The microplastic composition analysis revealed that fibers were the dominant form (43.32%), followed by beads/pellets, fragments, and films. This diversity of microplastic types highlights the multiple pathways through which plastic pollution is entering the marine food web.