The Occurrence of Microplastic Uptake by Perch and Walleye, and Freshwater Mussels

Overview

Microplastics are defined as plastics under 5mm in diameter, and can be divided into five groups: fragments, fibers, beads, foams, and films. It has been documented that microplastics can emit and transmit toxins, cause blockage in the digestive tracts of aquatic organisms, and transport microbial life forms. Three different freshwater taxa were evaluated to assess the prevalence of microplastics accumulation: yellow perch (Perca flavescens); (N=4), walleye (Sander vitreus); N=4 and unionid (Anodonta) freshwater mussels (N=36). Fish were collected from Lake Erie (Fairport Harbor), freshwater mussels were purchased commercially and placed in a mesocosm. The mesocosm consisted of two 25-gallon tanks, one containing a known amount and composition of microplastics and one containing uncontaminated water. Microplastics were added to one tank at levels proportional to the composition of microplastics detected in tributaries to the Great Lakes: 71% fibers, 1% beads, 9% foams, 3% films, and 16% fragments. The digestive tracts of all species were removed and dissolved using 4N KOH and 30% H2O2. The gill tissue was analyzed separately for the mussels. Stomach contents were extracted using a Büchner funnel and dissected for microplastics. One hundred percent of sampled yellow perch and 50% of walleye contained microplastics in their digestive tracts. Seventeen percent of mussels sampled contained microplastics in the gill tissue. All microplastics found in the fish were classified as microfibers, with an average of 4.25 fibers per yellow perch. The microplastics found in the mussels were fibers, fragments, and foam. These data suggest that microplastic uptake occurs in freshwater ecosystems. Further data are being collected to document the occurrence of microplastics in additional freshwater species.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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