The Presence of Microplastics in High-Demand Seafood Crustaceans of the Gulf of Mannar Coast: An Insight into Seafood Quality.

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a significant concern, prompting an assessment of commercially important seafood species in Mandapam, Pamban, and Rameswaram along the Gulf of Mannar coast, Tamil Nadu. The analysis focused on shore sand, littoral sediment, seawater, and shrimps and crabs to determine microplastic presence, considering various land use patterns known to contribute significantly to pollution. As anticipated, microplastics were found to be prevalent in all samples, including sand, sediment, seawater and gut and gills of Crustaceans. Coloured polyethene fragments and polyvinyl chloride were the most prevalent types of microplastics identified. In seawater samples, coloured microfibers, PVC, and PEEK were notably abundant. Among various land uses, the fish landing centres exhibited the highest levels of plastic pollution, while residential areas also showed substantial contamination with a diverse array of microplastics and mesoplastics. The presence of microplastics in crustaceans from the seafood market certainly poses a significant threat to seafood quality.