Meteorological and climatic variability influences anthropogenic microparticle content in the stomach of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus

Meteorological and climatic phenomena affect oceanographic characteristics and, consequently, anthropogenic microparticle aggregation. The same influence the ecology of pelagic fish, but whether there is a connection between meteorological ingestion remains unknown. In NW Mediterranean during springs 2011–2014, incidence contaminated European anchovies (35 ± 17%) abundance in stomach content (0.46 0.25 microparticles ind−1) may have owed to higher concentrations due hydrodynamism. Year 2011 showed fragment contribution (60 17%). statistical analysis indicated link characteristics, with low North Atlantic Oscillation index values for previous cold season indicating transport water from polluted Tyrrhenian Sea. Low-density microplastic (polyethylene polypropylene) was found, selection behaviour anchovy. Fibre remained quite constant throughout 4-year period, pointing diffused input not dependent on forcing. 2012, were subjected bottom-up limitation, adverse forcing (high early spring temperatures, rainfall). mainly ingested fibres through less energy-expensive filter-feeding. Therefore, regulates intake by fish should be considered pollution mitigation.