Microplastics accumulation in blue swimming crabs (Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)) in Chon Buri and Rayong Province

Abstract

This study investigated the accumulation of microplastic in blue swimming crabs (Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)). The carbs were obtained from 9 Crab Bank stations in Chon buri and Rayong Province during September-October 2023.  Ninety crab individuals were collected. Each crab individual was dissected and separated into four parts which were the stomach, ovary, claw, and meat. Each part was extracted with a 50% hydrogen peroxide solution and filtered through GF/C filter paper. The microplastics on the filler paper were classified and counted using a stereo microscope. The study found that fiber and fragments were the major group of microplastic. The most common color of microplastics is black with an average number of 42±17 pieces. The highest microplastic accumulation was found in a male crab’s stomach in which microplastics of 17±27pieces were detected. The number of microplastics in the stomach was not significantly different from those in the claw and breast (P>0.05). The accumulation of microplastic in female blue swimming crabs was mainly found in the claws. However, the number of microplastics found in the claw was not significantly different from those in the stomach, ovaries and breast. It was found that the accumulations of microplastics in blue swimming crabs collected from Chon buri Province were higher than Rayong Province. The highest number of microplastics were found in the crabs obtained from Wonnapa Beach Fish Market.