Occurrence of Microplastics in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus - Saint Peter) Cultivated in Recirculating Systems

• Grant number: 24/13070-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Agreement: BRASKEM
• Principal Investigator: Katharina Eichbaum Esteves
• Grantee: Giovanna Bertozi Malcher
• Host Institution: Núcleo Interdisciplinar de Planejamento Energético (NIPE). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Núcleo Interdisciplinar de Planejamento Energético (NIPE)
• Associated research grant: 21/05251-8 - Proposal for the creation of the Plasticulture Engineering Centre, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, recognized as emerging pollutants due to their ubiquity and ability to accumulate along the trophic chain at all trophic levels, including fish. These contaminants also occur in fish farming systems; however, their presence in these production systems is still poorly understood. In the present study, the presence of MPs will be evaluated in three varieties of tilapia cultivated in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) implemented at the Fisheries Institute in São Paulo. The system consists of two treatments, one with plastic cover and one control without cover. Specimens were collected at the beginning of the experiment, in February 2024, and preserved at -18°C. The digestive tract will be removed and digested with a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution at 60°C for 48 hours. Subsequently, the frequency, abundance, and shape of ingested microplastic particles will be analyzed, classifying them according to morphological type (fragments, fibers, pellets, and films), color, and size. The analyses will be performed under a stereoscopic microscope coupled to a camera with ImageView software. With these data, it is intended to evaluate the environmental risk of MPs, especially on fish used for consumption.