MICROPLASTICS IN STOMACH OF "LIZA" Mugil cephalus, LIMA - PERÚ

Abstract

The plastics present in the rivers, lakes, seas and different terrestrial ecosystems, constitute a serious pollution problem and threaten the health of the different species that inhabit the mentioned ecosystems. As a result of this contamination, in the seas, fish confuse plastic with their food and consume them being contaminated, as indicated by several studies conducted in different parts of the world. The Mugil cephalus species known in Peru as "lisa", is widely consumed throughout the coast of Peru and common in the markets of Lima, given its importance, this study was conducted that aimed to determine the presence of microplastic in the stomach content of the resource. The stomach content of three fish acquired in the market of Villa María del Triunfo (Lima) was analyzed. The identification and quantification of the biological organisms consumed by the fish was performed, but the presence of plastic was also evaluated. According to the analysis, they effectively found several phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa, a common diet of this species, but we also show, after applying the buoyancy test with calcium chloride, the presence of microplastics in the stomach of fish. It is necessary that the state take actions to solve this problem of interest to the health of the sea and consumers in Peru.