A doctoral study at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) in Pune has detected microplastics in freshwater fish commonly consumed in the city raising concerns about plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems and its potential entry into the human food chain.
The research focuses on commercially consumed fish species, particularly Rohu and Tilapia to examine the presence, characteristics and possible sources of microplastic contamination along with its implications for freshwater ecosystems and human health.
The study is being conducted by Simran Singh, a PhD scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies at MIT-WPU, under the guidance of Dr. Soma Mishra.
As part of the research, the team mapped Pune’s freshwater fish supply chain to understand how fish reach consumers. Instead of concentrating solely on retail markets, researchers surveyed wholesalers and distributors which serve as major entry points for freshwater fish into the city.
Pune was divided into four geographical zones for the survey, covering the city’s main fish distribution networks. Researchers interviewed 26 wholesalers and distributors and estimated that approximately 37–40 tonnes of freshwater fish enter the Pune market every day. Rohu and Tilapia were among the commonly traded species.
A substantial share of the fish supply comes from aquaculture systems. Fish are also transported to Pune from several locations, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Ratnagiri, Mumbai and Kolkata, highlighting the extensive interstate network supplying the city’s markets.
Laboratory analysis detected microplastics in the fish samples examined. The particles included fibres, fragments and pellets, forms commonly reported in freshwater environments.
Based on the detected levels and local consumption patterns the study estimates that a person consuming an average of 250 grams of freshwater fish twice a week for 50 years could potentially ingest between 93,600 and 124,800 microplastic particles.
Singh said that discussions about microplastic pollution often focus on marine environments, while freshwater ecosystems and inland cities such as Pune remain comparatively understudied. The research aims to trace the journey of fish before they reach consumers by examining the supply chain through wholesalers and distributors.
The study seeks to establish baseline scientific data on freshwater microplastic pollution in Pune, a rapidly urbanising city. It also aims to improve understanding of how microplastics may move from freshwater environments into food supplies.
Researchers said the findings could help inform approaches to plastic waste management, wastewater treatment, freshwater ecosystem conservation and food safety. However, the estimated number of particles potentially ingested through fish consumption does not by itself, establish the level of health risk to consumers.
The findings underline the need for further research into microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems and the possible implications for people who regularly consume freshwater fish.