Occurrence, characterization, and hazard assessment of microplastics in edible tissues of commercial fishes from public wet markets in Cebu Province, Philippines

Hermes M. Alburo; Kristyne Rose C. Geolin; Lora Mae G. Villegas; Rosalyn P. Alburo

doi:10.22034/ijab.v12i4.2331

Authors

Hermes M. Alburo Biodiversity, Environmental, and Natural Resources Research Center (BENRC), Cebu Technological University Argao Campus, Cebu, Philippines.
Kristyne Rose C. Geolin Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Office 7, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines.
Lora Mae G. Villegas
[email protected]
Department of Chemistry, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines.
Rosalyn P. Alburo Biodiversity, Environmental, and Natural Resources Research Center (BENRC), Cebu Technological University Argao Campus, Cebu, Philippines.

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2024): August

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August 25, 2024

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This study examined the occurrence, characterization, and hazard risk of microplastics (MPs) in the edible tissues of commercial fish from public wet markets in Cebu Province, Philippines. Fish samples from eleven species were collected from eight municipalities (Argao, Bogo City, Carcar City, Daanbantayan, Liloan, Naga City, Oslob, and Toledo City) and analyzed for microplastics using microscopy and ATR-FTIR. Three hundred eighty-nine MP particles were identified, with benthic fish (N = 197) showing a slightly higher count than pelagic fish (N = 192). Argao had the highest MP count (N = 60), while Daanbantayan had the lowest. Euthynnus affinis had the highest MP concentration (19%, N = 74), followed by Scarus psittacus and Cypselurus opisthopus (16%, N = 64 each). Of the samples, 30% were confirmed as microplastics, revealing 15 distinct polymer types, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (20%), polyacetylene (PA) (17%), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (7%). The polymer hazard index (PHI) indicated that polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) posed a "High" risk, while acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), PVC, and polyurethane (PU) were classified under "Extreme Danger". These findings suggest that local agricultural practices, laundry activities, and waste disposal contribute to MP contamination in fish tissues, warranting further investigation into the health implications of MP consumption.

Alburo, H. M., Geolin, K. R. C., Villegas, L. M. G., & Alburo, R. P. (2024). Occurrence, characterization, and hazard assessment of microplastics in edible tissues of commercial fishes from public wet markets in Cebu Province, Philippines. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 12(4), 309–320. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v12i4.2331

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