Ingestion of Anthropogenic Particles by Phalloceros reisi Lucinda, 2008 in Coastal Streams of Southeastern Brazil Amanda Selinger, Laura Pauli Baccon, João Henrique Alliprandini da Costa, Fabio Cop Ferreira, Landulfo Silveira Jr., Ursulla Pereira Souza

Abstract

We investigated the composition of anthropogenic particles found in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Phalloceros reisi from coastal streams in three basins in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The fish were sampled in 2016 using electrofishing in streams in the Cubatão, Quilombo and Itanhaém river basins. The GITs of 45 individuals from each basin were analyzed and the recorded microplastics (MPs) were characterized in terms of shape and color by visual inspection, and chemical structure using Raman spectroscopy. MPs were found in the GIT of 37 individuals, predominantly blue fibers, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the identified polymer. The presence of this shape, color and polymer in environments far from urban centers highlights the urgency in investigating its main sources and potential effects on aquatic biota.