The researchers focused on fish in the Xingu because of their rich diversity and breadth of feeding habits.
The fish ranged from 4cm to nearly a foot in length, and weighed from 2g to nearly a kilogram.
Analysis of the fishes’ stomach contents identified a dozen distinct polymers used to manufacture plastic items, including bags, bottles, and fishing gear.
Most pieces were black, red, blue, white or translucent and varied from 1mm-sized particles to flakes measuring 15mm in width.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Plastic debris from stomachs of Serrasalmidae fish from the Xingu River.
The scientists picked through the stomach contents of 172 fish belonging to 16 species.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The stomach contents of fish in the Xingu River have revealed plastic particles. »