DETECTION OF MICROPLASTIC FROM THREE IMPORTANT CRAB SPECIES FROM THE COAST OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

In this study, the abundances and characteristics of microplastics in different tissues of three species of wild crabs (Scylla olivacea, Portunus pelagicus, and Portonus sanguinolentus) were investigated across three important fishing grounds (Chattagram, Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin Island region) of Bangladesh. Each region consists of three distinct fishing grounds. The result of the study showed that the highest detection of microplastics was recorded in Cox’s Bazar followed by Saint Martin and Chattagram. The crab species Scylla olivacea and Portunus pelagicus were most abundant in Cox’s Bazar and Chattagram while Portonus sanguinolentus in Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin Island. The microplastics size was also varied among the crab samples. Comparatively larger microplastics were recorded in the crab samples in Chattagram region. Black coloured microplastics were the most prominent in gill and guts of the samples (45.45% and 42.37%, respectively). Among various types of shapes about (56.92%) of thread was most abundance in gill where thread was (53.33%) in gut. The 50% gill tissue showed fragment microplastics followed by microbead (6.25%). The 49.18% gut tissue showed microbead microplastics followed by fibre (8.20%). Overall, the study reported that the distribution pattern, abundance, size, color and shape of microplastics in the studied crab samples which will ultimately help the biologist to get insight into the plastic pollution in marine ecosystems by taking crabs as model species.