Scientists from Moscow State University and the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute looked inside the stomach of a young Atlantic cod and found microplastic particles.
The study included 23 fish caught off the coast of Russia's Kola Peninsula in 2022 and 2023, with plastic particles up to 10 millimeters in size found in the digestive tracts of 60% of them. This is the first such discovery in Russian waters of the Barents Sea.
Researchers discovered plastic particles in the digestive system of young Atlantic cod of the species "Gadus morhua," which is one of the most important commercial fisheries species, as well as being a common species targeted by recreational fishing.
In most cases, the fish ingested transparent, white, and green particles ranging in size from 0.5 to 1 millimeter. Scientists believe the plastic sinks due to biodegradation and settles on the seabed, where it is ingested by bottom-dwelling cod.
According to the researchers, all the fish included in the study were juvenile cod, aged between two and three years, living on the bottom and feeding on other organisms. During the first four years of their lives, cod can undertake short migrations between feeding grounds, but they generally do not tend to travel long distances across bodies of water before reaching sexual maturity, which occurs between eight and ten years of age.
Pollution levels in this region were found to be higher than those of the same species in other parts of the Atlantic Ocean. While no acute toxicity from these substances has yet been detected, data regarding their chronic effects still require further investigation.
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