Search Results (2)

This study explored the prevalence and types of microplastic (MP) pollution in three fish species—Labeo rohita, Wallago attu, and Cirrhinus mrigala—collected from the Panjnad Barrage in South Punjab, Pakistan. MPs were analyzed from the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs), gills, and muscles of 90 fish samples. Advanced analytical techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), were deployed, confirming the polymeric composition and presence of various additives. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed significant variations in MP accumulation across tissues, with the GIT consistently showing the highest MP count, the gills having the highest concentration per gram, and the muscles exhibiting the lowest amount of accumulation. Wallago attu was found to have accumulated the highest concentration of microparticles among all three species due to its feeding habits and habitat. Fibers and fragments were the predominant types of MPs, with yellow and red being the most frequent colors. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the primary polymers identified, alongside other types like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The MP size distribution indicated that mid-sized particles (150–50 µm) were most abundant in the GIT and gills, while smaller particles (<50 µm) accumulated in the muscles, suggesting different levels of bioavailability and tissue penetration. Overall, the results suggest that agricultural activities are a major contributor to plastic pollution in the Panjnad Barrage. These findings highlight the ecological and health impacts of MP contamination, stressing the importance of targeted mitigation strategies to eliminate plastic waste in aquatic environments. Full article

A checklist of the native fishes of the Dhanu River and adjacent waters at Mithamain Upazila under the Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh is prepared with details on their availability, conservation status, habitat preferences, population trends, and threats. Data were collected monthly by field survey, focus group discussions, and personal interviews by using a semi-structured questionnaire and a pictorial check list of fish species. A total of 91 indigenous fish species of 59 genera belonging to 29 families under 11 orders were documented where 17.6%, 27.5%, 31.9%, and 23.1% species were abundantly available, commonly available, moderately available, and rarely available, respectively. Among those, 24 fish species (26.4%) were under the threatened category (3 critically endangered, 11 endangered, and 10 vulnerable) according to the IUCN Bangladesh. Notably, the globally threatened Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Channa orientalis, and Wallago attu were available in the study area. Fish population trends of 24.2% and 59.3% of the entire fish species were found in decreasing trends at the global and national level, respectively. The leading threats to the fish diversity were indiscriminate overfishing followed by fishing by dewatering of wetlands, the katha fishing method, the use of deprecated fishing gears, etc. Minimizing anthropogenic impacts, enacting fishing laws, installing and managing fish sanctuaries, and raising public awareness can be effective for the conservation of existing fisheries resources. Full article