Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 University of Nairobi

2 Faculty of Science and Technology, Univ. of Nairobi, P O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

3 School of Life Sciences, Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal, P.O. Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa.

4 Faculty of Science and Technology, Univ. of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

5 Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are a global threat to marine life, but information available on the extent of pollution along the Kenya Indian ocean coast is absent. Ingestion of MPs by five common pelagic fish from the region was investigated in this study. Fish tissues were digested in 10 % potassium Hydroxide (KOH) at 60 °C for 14 hours and the MPs were separated by floatation method using supersaturated Sodium Chloride (NaCl) solution. The benthic fish studied (Acanthopagrus berda had a mean of 0.48 ± 0.06 MPs per gram (g-1) tissue, Gerres oyena 0.20 ± 0.02, Terapon jarbua0.20 ± 0.06) had higher MPs contamination compared to the pelagic (Rastrelligerkanagurta0.054 ± 0.011) and reef fish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis0.038 ± 0.009) reflecting the influence of habits and habitat on MPs contamination in fish. Fish caught in the second sampling had higher MPs contamination compared to the first and fish from Mida Creek had higher MPs contamination compared to those from Tudor and Port-Reitz probably because they were mainly benthic fish. Gut and gills of all species contained significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than the flesh. Thus, we recommend that fish be gutted and thoroughly clean the gills before cooking to reduce MPs contamination. There is need for further research to evaluate the risk posed to humans by the consumption of marine water fish that ingested microplastics

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