Microplastics in Sepia officinalis caught on the central Adriatic coast: preliminary results


Submitted: 14 July 2021
Accepted: 13 February 2023
Published: 8 June 2023
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Microplastics (µPs) represent an emerging problem for the marine environment given their wide bioavailability for all aquatic organisms, from zooplankton to top predators. This work aimed to evaluate a method of extracting microplastics from the gastrointestinal tract of 122 Sepia officinalis caught from the Adriatic Sea (along Abruzzo region coasts) to measure its quantity in a poorly investigated species. The extraction method used for gastrointestinal content was performed using 10% potassium hydroxide. In 98/122 (80.32-95% CI=73.27-87.37%) wild animals microplastics were detected with a mean concentration of 6.82±5.52 µPs/subject. Among the fragments, as supported by various authors, those of black color were the most represented ones; however, also blue fibers and transparent spheres were isolated. This study, in agreement with previous ones, poses further attention to the wide microplastic diffusion in the marine environment (surface, columns, sediments, and animals). The obtained results provide the basis for future investigations on this public health concern.


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Alessia Armellini, Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, Teramo

 

 

Gianluigi Ferri, Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, Teramo

 

 

 

Carlotta Lauteri, Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, Teramo

 

 

Antonio De Camillis, Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, Teramo

 

 

Luca Pennisi, Veterinary Medicine Department, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, Teramo

 

 

1.
Armellini A, Ferri G, Lauteri C, De Camillis A, Pennisi L. Microplastics in <i>Sepia officinalis</I> caught on the central Adriatic coast: preliminary results. Ital J Food Safety [Internet]. 2023 Jun. 8 [cited 2024 Apr. 27];12(2). Available from: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/9971

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