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Evidence of microplastic ingestion in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from the Canadian Arctic.
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Researchers examined the stomachs of 30 ringed seals from Arviat and Resolute Bay, Nunavut, finding microplastics in 77% of them. Most particles were tiny fragments or fibers, with no clear link to the seals' sex, age, or size, providing baseline data for future pollution monitoring in the Arctic.
Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) play a crucial role in Arctic marine food webs, serving as predators of fish and invertebrates, and as prey for polar bears (Ursus maritimus). They are also a critical food source for Inuit subsistence. However, there is limited data on microplastic accumulation in Arctic pinnipeds, including ringed seals. To better understand the extent of ingestion and potential accumulation of microplastics in ringed seals from the Canadian Arctic, 30 ringed seal stomachs were collected in collaboration with Inuit Hunters from Arviat and Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada, in 2021. All suspected microplastics underwent analysis by Raman microspectroscopy to identify polymer type, and all identified microplastics were counted and categorized based on size, color and morphology. Microplastics were present in 23 out of 30 (77%) seal stomachs, with abundances ranging from 0 to 6 particles per seal (mean = 2.0 ± 1.6 pcs/seal). Fragments were the most prevalent morphology identified (55%), followed by fibers (42%) and films (3.3%). Most particles were unidentified anthropogenic particles and polyester fibers. Microplastic abundances were similar between sexes and between seals collected from the two locations, and no relationships were found between microplastic abundances and age or any morphometric measurements. This study provides new data confirming the presence and characteristics of microplastics ingested by ringed seals harvested in Arviat and Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada, and provides baseline information for future plastic pollution monitoring programs in the region.
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No accumulation of microplastics detected in western Canadian ringed seals (Pusa hispida)
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Researchers examined stomach contents of ten ringed seals (Pusa hispida) harvested from the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in the western Canadian Arctic and detected no microplastic particles of 80 micrometers or larger, suggesting limited microplastic accumulation in this species despite the Arctic acting as a potential sink for anthropogenic debris.
Pinnipeds in Arctic Canada show no evidence of retained microplastic pollution
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Researchers examined the stomachs of 36 Canadian Arctic walrus and additional ringed seals for microplastic contamination, finding no evidence of retained microplastics in either species. The study provides the first assessment of microplastics in Canadian walrus, but notes that soft tissue sampling may miss particles that pass through the digestive system.
No microplastics detected in the first assessment of Atlantic walrus stomachs from Nunavut, Canada
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Examination of stomach contents from 36 Atlantic walruses harvested across five Inuit communities in Nunavut, Canada, found no microplastics at or above an 80 µm detection threshold — a surprising result given that walruses feed on benthic invertebrates in sediment known to accumulate microplastics elsewhere. The study represents the first global assessment of microplastic ingestion in walruses and suggests that at least some Arctic megafauna may not be significantly retaining microplastics, possibly due to digestive anatomy or regional pollution levels. The findings provide a useful baseline for tracking future changes as plastic pollution in the Canadian Arctic increases.
Occurrence of Microplastics in Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) from German Waters
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The gastrointestinal tracts of 63 harbour and grey seals from German North Sea and Baltic Sea waters were examined for microplastics, with 540 suspected particles identified in intestinal samples and 228 in stomach samples, predominantly fibers and fragments. No significant correlations were found between microplastic presence and parasite infestation or inflammatory responses, though fragments showed evidence of retention in the gut.
First record of plastic debris in the stomach of a hooded seal pup from the Greenland Sea
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This study examined macroplastic ingestion in harp and hooded seals collected from pack ice breeding grounds in the Greenland Sea. Two pieces of single-use plastic were found in the stomach of a weaned hooded seal pup, representing the first recorded instance of macroplastic ingestion in an Arctic true seal and highlighting risks to young marine predators in remote polar environments.
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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.