Microfibers found in Mysidaceans (Metamysidopsis frankfiersi) collectedon Isla de la Piedra Mazatlán, Sinaloa
Keywords:
M i c r o fi b e r s , m i c r o p l a s t i c s , m y s i d s , f o o d c h a i n , p o l l u t i o nAbstract
Coastal areas along the Pacific are increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic effluents, which contaminate the habitats of small mysids, such as Metamysidopsis frankfiersi. Consequently, we hypothesize that microfiber and microplastic fragment contamination in the water column is directly transferred to these small organisms. This study serves as an initial step toward characterizing current microplastic pollution in the region. Specimens were collected from the Isla de la Piedra area in Mazatlán, sexed, and 20 were subjected to alkaline digestion. Microplastics were then isolated using a NaCl (6.12 M) density separation and filtered through a fiberglass membrane. An average abundance of 1.4 pieces per specimen was recorded, with higher concentrations found in females. Specifically, females exhibited a greater abundance of transparent fibers compared to males, with particle sizes ranging from 90 to 400 µm. This differential accumulation may be attributed to reproductive physiology and other sex-specific biological factors.
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