No microplastics in benthic eelpout (Zoarces viviparus): An urgent need for spectroscopic analyses in microplastic detection

Monitoring the ingestion of microplastics is challenging and suitable detection techniques are insufficiently used. Thus, misidentifying natural for synthetic microfibres cannot be avoided. As part of a framework to monitor the ingestion of microplastics in eelpout, this short report addresses the accurate identification of microfibres. We show that, following visual inspections, putatively synthetic microfibres are indeed of natural origin, as ascertained by spectrometric analyses. Consequently, we call for an inclusion of spectroscopic techniques in standardized microplastic monitoring schemes. •Misidentifying natural microfibers for synthetic polymers.•Validating the origin of putatively synthetic microfibres by spectroscopic analyses.•Presuming, that the exposure of aquatic organisms to microplastics is frequently overestimated.•Calling for an adoption of spectroscopic techniques in standardized microplastic monitoring schemes.