Occurrence and Characterization of Microplastics in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Reared in the Sardinian Coastal Environments, Italy: Implications for Consumer Exposure

The objective of the present study was the determination of microplastics in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) reared in Italy and the assessment of consumer exposure. A total of sixty specimens were collected from four aquaculture facilities (A–D) located along the Sardinian coastal environment (Italy) and selected according to the principles of the risk assessment. From each Gilthead Seabream specimen, samples of gastro-intestinal tract (GI) and muscle (M) were obtained and digested using KOH 10% (1:10). The isolated microplastics were examined under the Stereomicroscope and characterized by Fourier transform infrared microscopy (μ-FTIR). Microplastics were identified in 25% of the samples. Positive fish showed plastic polymers in GI (22% and M (8%) respectively. The contamination was very limited, with a mean abundance of microplastics of 0.3 ± 0.56 and 1.2 ± 0.41 per fish and positive fish, respectively. Polypropylene, mainly blue, red and green in color, was the most detected polymer (72%). Consumers are exposed to plastic polymers via fish consumption, but so far, the implications for consumer exposure have not yet been quantified and are still being studied. The results of the present study represent the first contribution to the assessment of consumer exposure associated with the consumption of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) reared in Sardinian coastal environments, Italy.