Abundance and distribution of environmental microplastic in edible fish and mussels from the south Mediterranean coasts

The present study aims to address a gap of knowledge by evaluating the in-situ ability of edible wild fish (Liza aurata, Sparus aurata and Sarpa salpa) and mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to serve as environmental vectors of MPs along the eastern Algerian coastline (namely; Sidi Salem, Ain Achir and Saint Cloud). Our data showed the widespread accumulation of MPs in highly consumed fish species and mussels in Annaba coastal area. MPs were found in all investigated organisms from the three studied areas. The most common size range of MPs was between 0,45 μm and 1,22 μm. Six polymers of MPs were identified from the sampling areas; polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The data provided by this study can serve as a support for assessing the status of MPs pollution in the Algerian coast areas and the associated human health risks.