Occurrence of microplastics in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus - GIFT) cultured in recirculation systems

• Grant number: 24/17591-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Applied Zoology
• Agreement: BRASKEM
• Principal Investigator: Katharina Eichbaum Esteves
• Grantee: Thaís Andrade Rocha
• 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 ubiquitous presence and ability to accumulate throughout the food chain at all trophic levels, including fish. These contaminants also occur in fish farming systems, but their presence in these production systems is still poorly understood. In this study, the presence of MPs will be evaluated in three varieties of tilapia cultivated in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) implemented at the Instituto de Pesca in São Paulo. The system consists of a covered plastic system, and a control system without coverage. Specimens were collected at the beginning of the 1st cycle (February 2024) and at the end (May 2024), and preserved at temperatures of -18oC. The digestive tract will be removed and digested with a 35% H2O2 solution at 60oC for 48 hours. Subsequently, the frequency, abundance, and shape of the ingested microplastic particles will be analyzed, classifying them according to morphological type (fragments, fibers, pellets, and films), color, and size. The analyses will be conducted under a stereoscopic microscope coupled with a camera with ImageView software. With this data, the environmental risk of MPs, especially on fish used for consumption, will be assessed.