Ingestion of rubber tips of artificial turf fields by goldfish

Marine microplastics are one of the global environmental issues. The present study examined whether rubber tips of artificial sports fields could be marine microplastics. We observed the migration of rubber tips from the artificial turf field to the surrounding ditch connected to sewer pipes and then examined the ingestion of rubber tips using the goldfish Carassius auratus. The rubber tips found in sediments in the ditch suggest that the rubber tips could be sent to the river and released into the ocean. The goldfish ingested rubber tips with or without fish feed, and rubber tips were found in the intestine. However, the fish discharged the rubber tips within 48 h after ingestion. These results indicate that ingestion of the rubber tips was not accidental but an active behavior. Therefore, artificial turf sports fields could be a source of marine microplastics and may cause hazardous effects on wild fishes through ingestion.

Automated summary

This study investigated whether rubber tips from artificial sports fields could become marine microplastics. It was found that rubber tips migrated from artificial turf to surrounding ditches and were ingested by goldfish in an experiment. The presence of rubber tips in sediments suggests that they can be released into rivers and eventually reach the ocean. Goldfish ingested rubber tips with or without fish feed, but they discharged them within 48 hours, indicating that ingestion was an active behavior. Therefore, artificial turf sports fields may be a source of marine microplastics and pose hazardous effects on wild fish through ingestion.