Sains Malaysiana 52(9)(2023): 2471-2483

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2023-5209-01

First Evidence of Microplastics Ingestion by Freshwater Fishes from Nong Luang Wetland, Chiang Rai, Thailand

(Bukti Pertama Ketidakhadaman Mikroplastik oleh Ikan Air Tawar dari Tanah Bencah Nong Luang, Chiang Rai, Thailand)

KITTICHAI CHANTIMA*, KRITTAWIT SUK-UENG, PARIDCHAYA INTEP & SARITPORN VITTAYAPADUNG

Environmental Science and Technology Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, 57100 Chiang Rai, Thailand

Received: 1 March 2023/Accepted: 10 August 2023

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) ingestion has been reported in several marine species but knowledge regarding MPs in freshwater species is limited, with only a few studies on the occurrence of MPs in freshwater fish, particularly in Thai freshwater ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of MPs for the first time in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of freshwater fishes from the Nong Luang Wetland, Chiang Rai, Thailand. A total of 100 fish specimens representing 15 species from 8 families were examined. Basic fish measurements as total length and total weight were used to calculate Fulton’s condition index (F). The GITs were subsequently removed and MPs were extracted by visual inspection and digestion solution. Qualitative attributes such as color and MP types (fibers, rod-shaped and fragments) were also recorded. Results showed relatively low MP prevalence at 21.0%, with 25 MP particles removed from the GITs of specimens representing 7 species. The number of ingested MP particles ranged between 1 and 4 per fish, with an average of 1.19±0.68. MP particles were categorized as fibers (92.0%), rod-shaped (4.0%) and fragments (4.0%) with blue fibers the most prevalent. No significant correlations were observed between the number of MP particles and the body length, weight, and F value of fish. These findings provide the first evidence of MP contamination in fishes from a Thai wetland as a baseline for future studies and risk assessments on the biota of many aquatic systems spread across the country.

Keywords: Blue fibre; fishing gear; freshwater fish; microplastic; wetland

Abstract

Penghadaman mikroplastik (MP) telah dilaporkan dalam beberapa spesies marin tetapi pengetahuan mengenai MP dalam spesies air tawar adalah terhad dengan hanya beberapa kajian mengenai kejadian MP dalam ikan air tawar, khususnya dalam ekosistem air tawar Thailand. Matlamat kajian ini adalah untuk menilai kejadian MP buat kali pertama dalam saluran gastrousus (GIT) ikan air tawar dari Tanah Bencah Nong Luang, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Sebanyak 100 spesimen ikan mewakili 15 spesies daripada 8 famili telah diperiksa. Ukuran asas ikan sebagai jumlah panjang dan jumlah berat digunakan untuk menghitung indeks keadaan Fulton (F). GIT kemudiannya dikeluarkan dan MP telah diekstrak melalui pemeriksaan visual dan penyelesaian pencernaan. Atribut kualitatif seperti warna dan jenis MP (gentian, berbentuk batang dan serpihan) turut direkodkan. Keputusan menunjukkan kelaziman MP yang agak rendah pada 21.0% dengan 25 zarah MP dikeluarkan daripada GIT spesimen yang mewakili 7 spesies. Bilangan zarah MP yang dihadam adalah antara 1 dan 4 setiap ikan, dengan purata 1.19±0.68. Zarah MP dikategorikan sebagai gentian (92.0%), berbentuk batang (4.0%) dan serpihan (4.0%) dengan gentian biru yang paling lazim. Tiada korelasi yang ketara diperhatikan antara bilangan zarah MP dan panjang badan, berat dan nilai F ikan. Hasil ini memberikan bukti pertama pencemaran MP dalam ikan dari tanah bencah Thailand sebagai garis asas untuk kajian masa hadapan dan penilaian risiko ke atas biota kebanyakan sistem akuatik di seluruh negara.

Kata kunci: Gentian biru; ikan air tawar; mikroplastik; peralatan menangkap ikan; tanah bencah

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*Corresponding author; email: kittichai.cha@crru.ac.th