Distribution, abundance, and composition of microplastics in market fishes from the Red and Mediterranean seas in Egypt

Marine environments contain plastic debris that potentially elicits adverse effects in aquatic organisms. In Egypt, microplastic pollution has been recognized as a significant issue; however risks associated with human consumption have not been fully elucidated. Here, we evaluated the frequency of occurrence, abundance, and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in marine fishes at market from the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt. Four fish markets distributed along the two seas (Hurghada and Suez in Red Sea) and (Port Said and Alexandria in Mediterranean Sea) were sampled in May 2021. In fish at markets, MPs were found throughout the gastrointestinal system (stomach and intestine) but were not detected in either muscle or liver. The body size (length and weight) of the market fish was positively correlated with and the concentration of MPs. The most frequent size of MPs observed in fish were between as >5000 μml (26%), followed by 500–1000 μm (25.8%), μm and 1000–5000 μm (22.7%). The highest MPs concentration was found in fish collected at the Hurghada site (4.16 items/individual). The most abundant polymers comprising plastic in marine fishes in Egypt in the Red Sea, the dominant Polymers of the MPs in fish was PE (59.4%), followed by PP (24.8%). while, In the Mediterranean Sea, the dominant Polymers of the MPs in fish was PP (48.5%), followed by PE (35.9%). We conclude that the size of the fish, its diet, and habitat are key factors related to MP bioaccumulation in marine fish species. We have improved our understanding of the risk MPs pose to fisheries and marine ecosystems by demonstrating their widespread presence there. Consequently, it is more important than ever to get plastics out of the sea.