Microplastic distribution, abundance, and composition in the sediments, water, and fishes of the Red and Mediterranean seas, Egypt

This study records the extent of microplastics (MPs) in the surface water, sediments, and fishes of the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt. In sediment and water samples, the Ras Gharib station in the Red sea and Damietta and Port Said stations in the Mediterranean sea exhibited the highest microplastic abundance, while the lowest concentration was found in the Ain Sukhna station in the Red Sea and Marsa Matruh station in the Mediterranean sea. Rayon and polyethylene terephthalate were the most frequently found polymers in fishes. The results highlighted the abundant existence of microplastics in sediments, water, and fishes of the Mediterranean and Red seas, thereby improving our understanding of the environmental risks posed by microplastics to fisheries and marine ecosystems and the need for measures to diminish the flux of plastics to the marine settings. [Display omitted] •The abundance of microplastics in sediment, surface water, and fish from the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea were recorded for the first time in Egypt.•The microplastic ingestion by fish was affected by the extent of microplastic contamination of the sediment and surface water.•Most of the detected microplastics were fiber and fragment. Red, blue, or transparent colored MPs were most abundant in different stations.•Polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene were the most abundant polymer types in fish.