Spread of microplastics in the digestive systems of grouper fish (Genus epinephelus) from the Pasar Bengkulu coastal zone in Indonesia

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have infected fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, among other marine fisheries products. This investigation was to determine the microplastic content of the gills, musscle, and intestines of Grouper (Genus epinephelus) in Pasar Bengkulu, Indonesia. This study was conducted in July-August 2022 with a random sample of 25 participants. At the Laboratory of Fisheries Marine Science Univerisity of Bengkulu, microplastics were analyzed. In the gills, musscle, and intestinal of Grouper Fish (Genus epinephelus), researchers discovered three types of microplastics, including fiber, film, and fragments, with a total abundance of 3.60 particles per individual. Transparent, black, and yellow were the hues discovered. Black predominated the color palette of the microplastic. 40.32μm - 675.31μm was the range of microplastic size. The FTIR analysis identifies the polymer as Polyethylenimine, Epichlorohydrin-Modified, 17 Wt% Solution In Water.