Do Microplastics Contaminate Fish from the Very Beginning of Their Life Cycle? ^†

Abstract

Introduction: The physical characteristics of microplastics (MPs), particularly their size and color, closely resemble natural food prey for several marine organisms, leading to active or accidental ingestion by marine species, including fish larvae. Despite growing concern, the occurrence of MPs in wild fish during early developmental stages remains insufficiently documented, and laboratory studies report inconsistent results. Given their key ecological role in marine food webs and their economic relevance, the health and survival of fish larvae are critical for maintaining fish populations. Objective: This study aimed to investigate MPs’ presence throughout the larval developmental stages and assess whether MP contamination profiles (concentration, color, type, and size) differ between species. Methodology: MPs were analyzed in the larval stages of two fish species with distinct ecological niches: the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), a marine migratory species, and the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps), an estuarine resident species. Samples were collected from the Douro Estuary (NW Portugal) over one year, covering different developmental stages. Results: MPs were detected in both species at all developmental stages observed, including the yolk-sac stage (where the feeding of larvae is endogenous), indicating contamination at a stage when the mouth is not yet functional. Sardina pilchardus showed a higher abundance of transparent nylon fibers of 0.5 mm, and Pomatoschistus microps transparent polypropylene fibers of size 0.4 mm. Moreover, MP contamination did not vary between species or throughout the developmental stages, showing similar levels and profiles of MPs contamination. Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence that MP contamination begins at the earliest developmental stages of the fish, from hatching onwards. The results further suggest that MP uptake in fish larvae is primarily driven by environmental availability rather than fish larvae’s preferences or ecological guild, physical characteristics, or even the ontogenetic developmental stage.