Microplastic Occurrences in Freshwater Fish of Bangladesh

Abstract

Over the years, there has been widespread detection of microplastics (MPs) in unacceptable concentrations, which has increased the susceptibility of our environment to emergent pollutants. Bangladesh has produced tremendous plastic over the past four decades due to its accelerated population growth, urbanization, and cost-effectiveness. This plastic undergoes a process of degradation, which gives rise to the problem of MPs. Although over the last 7 years, a significant number of MP studies have been conducted in Bangladesh, MP contamination in freshwater fish-related studies was first conducted in 2021. Comprehensive studies of MP contamination in freshwater fish have yet to be explored entirely in Bangladesh. However, MP contamination in freshwater fish has a devastating impact on the gut health, immunity, and increase in the risk of developing diseases. Hence, this book chapter seeks to provide an up-to-date account of MP contamination in Bangladesh’s freshwater fish by synthesizing prior research. Furthermore, this chapter will explore MPs origins, distribution patterns, destiny, and transit in freshwater fish populations. This study is significant because it contributes to the increasing knowledge regarding MP pollution in freshwater ecosystems, which is particularly crucial in regions such as Bangladesh, which rely significantly on freshwater resources.