Journal Article
Biological Stress Responses of Organisms to Microplastic Pollution in the Bulgarian Part of the Black Sea
Albena Alexandrova; Nesho Chipev; Elina Tsvetanova; Madlena Andreeva; Svetlana Mihova; Selen Kyazim; Valentina Doncheva; Kremena Stefanova; Petya Ivanova; Elitsa Stefanova; Violin Raykov; Dimitar Dimitrov; Yordan Raev
Fishes · Vol. 11, Issue 6 · pp. 312 · 2026
Abstract
Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pervasive environmental challenges, with microplastics (MPs) widely distributed across marine ecosystems worldwide. This study aimed to assess the uptake of MPs by key fish and invertebrate species from different locations in the coastal zone of the Bulgarian Black Sea. Fish were collected during routine monitoring surveys in September–November 2024, while invertebrates were obtained via scuba diving. The presence of MPs in fish stomachs and invertebrate soft tissues, and their polymer composition, shape and size were analyzed using an Agilent 8700 LDIR Chemical Imaging System. Potential biological effects of ingested MPs were evaluated by an integrated Specific Oxidative Stress (SOS) index. The results revealed MP uptake levels comparable to those reported globally. Small-sized particles (