Microplastic contamination in two commercially important fish species from a coastal river: Dietary exposure to potential health implications

Microplastic (MP) contamination is a persistent environmental hazard with potential transfer to humans through fish consumption. This study evaluated tissue-specific MP contamination, ecological and human health exposure risks in two commercially important fish species, Platycephalus indicus and Xenentodon cancila , from the Rupsa River using stereo-microscopy, FTIR and integrated ecological risk indices. Both species exhibited high MP burdens, with higher overall loads in X. cancila . Gills showed the highest accumulation (33.77 ± 20.34 items/g), while lower but considerable levels in edible muscle (2.34 ± 0.93 items/g in P. indicus ; 2.26 ± 0.99 items/g in X. cancila ) confirm primary environmental exposure and potential dietary exposure. Fibre-type MPs and smaller particles (