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A microplastic meal: A baseline assessment of microplastic polymer presence within manta-ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding grounds at D'Arros Island and the St. Joseph Atoll
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Researchers used plankton tows at reef manta ray feeding grounds in the Seychelles to characterize microplastic polymer types present, identifying polybutylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer and flagging polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, PVC, and PBT as very high concern — though total microplastic abundance did not correlate with zooplankton biomass, suggesting manta rays do not preferentially ingest more MPs at active feeding aggregations.
Microplastic ingestion by reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) is a threat to their health and population stability. Seychelles' outer islands are vital habitats for M. alfredi but nothing is known about marine microplastic pollution in the area. Using plankton tows from D'Arros Island and St. Joseph Atoll - a key aggregation site, we quantified microplastic polymer type and relative abundance from locations where reef manta rays were actively feeding. We found polybutylene terephthalate (PBT, 1079 particles, 66%) to be the most abundant polymer using our screening technique. A polymer concern assessment identified polyurethane (PU), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PBT as "Very High" concern polymers that warrant further attention. We find no significant relationship between total microplastic abundance and zooplankton biomass indicating M. alfredi does not ingest relatively greater quantities of MPs while feeding at this aggregation site.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding areas within a remote, protected archipelago, finding that even isolated marine protected areas are not free from microplastic pollution, raising concerns about filter-feeding marine megafauna in decline.
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This study characterized microplastics in the feeding grounds of manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at Big Manta Bay in Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Because manta rays are obligate filter feeders, microplastic contamination in their habitat raises concerns about inadvertent ingestion and health effects.
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Researchers conducted a preliminary assessment of plastic pollution in the feeding grounds of reef manta rays along the northwest Australian coast, documenting plastic contamination in an area where filter-feeding megafauna are at risk. The study highlights a critical knowledge gap regarding direct plastic exposure for large marine animals in Australian waters.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.