<![CDATA[Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, formed by the degradation of plastic materials in aquatic environments and potentially contaminating marine biota. This study aimed to investigate the presence of microplastics in fish caught. It landed in the waters of the South Leato Sea and to identify their physical characteristics and constituent polymer types. The research samples consisted of four fish species, namely skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), scad (Decapterus macrosoma), deho (Euthynnus affinis), and oci (Selaroides leptoleptis), with the analyzed parts being the gastrointestinal tract and muscle tissue. Microplastic analysis was conducted using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) method, which included Wet Peroxide Oxidation (WPO) for the degradation of organic matter, density separation for particle separation based on density, microscopic identification to determine the morphology and abundance of microplastics, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis to identify the constituent polymer types. The results showed that the identified microplastics were categorized into three morphological forms: fibers, fragments, and films. Based on polymer analysis, the detected microplastics were predominantly composed of polyamide (nylon). The highest abundance was observed in gastrointestinal tract samples from oci and scad fish, at 0.6 particles per individual. In contrast, the lowest abundance was observed in skipjack tuna, at 0.2 particles per individual. These findings indicate variations in microplastic contamination levels among the fish species examined. This study provides important implications for understanding the extent of microplastic pollution in edible fish from the South Leato Sea and may serve as a scientific basis for environmental quality monitoring and mitigation efforts to reduce the risks of microplastic contamination in the food chain and human health.]]>
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