Microplastics in marine organisms in KZN:

A new conservation threat?

R.P. Mofokeng,

Supervisor: Dr. D.V. Robertson-Andersson

Co-Supervisor: Mr. G.K. Moodley

University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus)

Small plastic particles, <5 mm in size.

There are two forms of microplastics namely; primary (A) and secondary (B)

microplastics.

Primary: mostly found in cosmetics, plastic beads and industrial effluent.

Secondary: result from degradation of large plastic debris which break down

over a period of time.

What are Microplastics ?

A A B

Plastics are very important and are used on a daily basis for different

purposes, e.g. food packaging, households items, facial cleansers etc.

4000km rivers, 18 catchments, 16 estuaries and 97 Km coastline

80% of microplastics in Durban are beads and fibres

Microplastic concentration are highest in Durban

Why microplastics ?

A systemic metaphoric analysis was followed

Only peer-reviewed papers were considered

Fish were caught in the KZN-Bight using an industrial crustacean trawler

Fish were dissected in the lab, analysed using an electronic microscope

Methodology

Results

Of 187 fish dissected, 34 % had plastics in them

ALL 16 species caught contained microplastics

Fish caught in the Durban eddy contained significantly

higher microplastic concentrations than fish caught in

Richards Bay or Durban

141 plastic pieces were recovered from fish digestive

tracts.

FISH IN THE KZN BIGHT

Microplastics in marine organisms in KZN:

A new conservation threat?

YES:

BUT

80% of microplastics in Durban’s marine environment are beads and fibres,

from household products.

Simple behavioural changes are some of the measures that can be taken to

reduce the amount of microplastics in aquatic systems.

The solution is within our means!!!