The presence and physico-chemical properties of microplastics in seawater, sediment, and several organs of the spotted scat fish (Scatophagus argus, Linnaeus, 1766) collected from different locations along the East Java coast in Indonesia

A comprehensive study was undertaken to examine the contamination of spotted scat fish (Scatophagus argus) with microplastics (MP) in various locations along the East Java coast of Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to collect detailed information regarding the abundance, color, shape, size, type of polymer, and chemical components of the MP. The findings of this study indicated that MP exhibiting distinct attributes-including a specific fiber type, black coloration, and a size range of 1000- <5000 μm-was most abundant in the gill, stomach, and intestines of spotted scat fish of varying lengths. And MP with a size range of 100-<500 μm was prevalent in the sediment. MP with black fragments measuring less than 100 μm in diameter were found primarily in seawater. A positive correlation was identified between fish length and MP abundance in the intestines, as indicated by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Conversely, a negative correlation was detected between fish length and MP abundance in the gills. The findings of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, which indicate the presence of various polymers and chemical substances including plasticizers (e.g., diethyl phthalate, decane, and eicosane), stabilizers (2-piperidinone, hexadecanoic acid, mesitylene, and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol), and flame retardant (cyclododecene), in fish, are of the utmost importance. These substances have the potential to endanger the health of both animals and humans if they are ingested through the food chain.