Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is arousing growing attention, yet knowledge about its occurrence in amphibians scant to date. With this study, we aimed determine whether plastic (>5000 ?m) and MPs (10–5000 could be detected adult Rana temporaria from a high-mountain ecosystem (the Cottian Alps, northwest Italy). To do this, aquatic compartments the digestive tract of R. were analyzed. Water, sediment, periphyton, macroinvertebrates, tadpoles tested negative for MPs. all frogs (n = 5); identified items (one per specimen) fibers (size range: 550.91–2355.51 µm). A statistically significant positive correlation between particle length frog size was recorded. The predominant fiber color blue. chemical composition polyamide (60%), polyethylene (20%), terephthalate (20%). Since both biotic abiotic freshwater (tadpoles included) revealed absence MPs, it can assumed that ingest surrounding terrestrial environment.