In Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest plastics

Scientists found plastic in Amazon fish, with tiny particles sticking to their gills and becoming trapped in the river plants around them

Plastic pollution is alarmingly prevalent among fish in the Amazon, leading to serious complications in their gills and digestive systems. The surrounding aquatic vegetation along the river captures plastic waste, forming hazardous exposure hotspots. Certain fish species can breathe air, but this adaptation makes them more susceptible to microplastics, as their smaller gills limit their capabilities to filter out harmful pollutants.

In Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest plastics

For Amazon fish, oxygen now comes with microplastics.