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Microplastics (MPs) contamination is a well-established impact in oceans, but integrated approaches combining simultaneous analyzes of biotic and abiotic components are scarce. This study addresses this gap, demonstrating Atherinella brasiliensis (fish species) ingestion of MPs and comparing with the contaminant presence in water and sediment. Three Ubatuba beaches (exposed, calm and sheltered estuary) were surveyed for fish, water, and sediment components in summer and winter. Environmental data evidenced spatial and seasonal differences (PCA/ANOVA). Presence of synthetic particles (SPs) in fish was high (~38%). Maximum concentrations occurred in the estuary, for water (490 SPs/m³), and in the exposed beach, for sediment (62 SPs/50g). Fibers format predominated in all components. Fish preference for blue color seems to occur. Significant statistical relationships were determined for fish length and SPs size and between SPs concentrations in water and fish. The chemical identities (µ-FTIR spectra) polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyester, and cardboard/cellulose predominated. Influences of local hydrodynamics (e.g., SPs sizes) and reduction in tourism during Covid-19 epidemic (e.g., less SPs in summer) are discussed. This study confirms environmental contamination by SPs (mostly MPs) in Ubatuba beaches, affecting fish through direct water column ingestion. Urgent actions from authorities and changes in local user's habits are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination by microplastics (MPs) has been recorded in various environments and organisms around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of MPs in two species of Siluriformes fishes Pterygoplichthys pardalis and Hoplosternum littorale considering the sex and different body parts of fish captured in Amazon floodplain areas, which are marketed and consumed in the Municipality of Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil. One hundred and fifty individuals of each fish species were analyzed for microplastics. Of these, 252 individuals were found to contain MPs: 127 (85%) P. pardalis and 125 (83%) H. littorale. The fish were contaminated with 683 MP particles, ranging from 1 to 43 MP particles/individual, with an average of 2.71 ± 3.2 MP particles/individual P. pardalis and H. littorale. Comparison of MP occurrence and particle size between species, sex, and body part found no significant difference. Fiber-shaped and blue-colored MPs were the most abundant in both P. pardalis (80% and 85.5%, respectively) and H. littorale (92% and 85%, respectively). The particles were identified as polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene. The results indicate MP contamination in P. pardalis and H. littorale catfish, which are widely consumed by Amazonian riverside communities. These species are often cooked whole (including the viscera) becoming a direct route of microplastic contamination to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution is ubiquitous in freshwater environments, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Plastic particles can accumulate in the sediment mainly in lentic environments offering several risks to the benthic community. While there are records on the distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems worldwide, limited research has been conducted on their distribution in reservoirs in the Southern Hemisphere. We investigated the levels of microplastic pollution in the sediments from the Billings Reservoir, Brazil, located in an area with high anthropogenic activities. Microplastics were recovered from all sediment samples, indicating their extensive distribution in the reservoir. Microplastic abundance in the sediment ranged from 11,800 to 31,900 particles.kg−1 dry weight. We observed different abundances between the shapes of microplastics: fiber > fragment > film > foam. Colorless fibers were the most abundant particles and small-sized (100 – 300 µm) microplastics were predominant. Of all the microplastics identified by FTIR, polyethylene was the most common type (25.0%), followed by polycarbonate, polypropylene, and nitrocellulose, each polymer representing 15.0% of the analyzed particles. The entry and the damming area of the reservoir seem to be more susceptible to the accumulation of microplastics in the sediment. This study was the first to report microplastic pollution in a Brazilian reservoir, which elucidates the incipience of the studies investigating microplastic pollution in Brazil. [Display omitted] • Tropical reservoirs are potential accumulation zones for microplastics. • High amounts of microplastics (20070 ± 6671.8 particles.kg−1) were found in Billings Reservoir. • Fibers were the most predominant shape in the sediment, followed by fragments. • PE, PC, PP, and nitrocellulose are the most frequent microplastic types found. • Microplastic pollution seems to be related to the critical state of conservation of the reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]