Microplastic contamination in fishes of Gharasoo River basin, Golestan Province

Concerns about the negative effects of microplastics on human health have led to increasing attention to the occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environments. Recent studies have focus from the marine environment to inland waters, particularly the spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in rivers. Qarasu basin, leading to Gorgan Bay, is the site of many permanent rivers and the levels of microplastic pollution in those rivers are unknown. This study was conducted along 8 different rivers in 2020. Some 9 fish species were identified and the presence of microplastics was confirmed in 87% of fish. The prevalence of microplastic particles among species were Chelon spp.> Carassius gibelio> Gambusia holbrooki> Rutilus rutilus> Neogobius melanostomus> Cyprinus carpio = Vimba persa> Rutilus caspicus> Barbus cyri. The highest type, color and size of fish microplastics were fiber, black, 0.5-0.1mm, respectively. In conclusion the rivers of Qarasu basin have been polluted by microplastics not only in developed areas with intense human activity but also in upstream areas, which can be considered as a source of pollution in Gorgan bay.