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Microplastic Exposure for Pinnipeds (Pinnipedia): A Rapid Review
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This review summarizes research on microplastic exposure in pinnipeds, including seals, sea lions, and walruses, drawing from 26 published studies. Researchers found that microplastics have been detected in pinniped scat, gastrointestinal tracts, and blubber, with the particles coming from both direct environmental intake and transfer through the food chain. The findings raise concerns about the long-term health effects of microplastic accumulation in these marine mammals, many of which are already under threat from other human-caused pressures.
The widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) is causing increasing concern among the scientific community and the public. Marine mammals are considered indicators of the ecological health of marine ecosystems, and many species, suffering from numerous anthropogenic factors, have been granted protected status. Pinnipeds (Pinnipedia) are susceptible to ingestion and bioaccumulation of MPs from their environment, through direct consumption and trophic chain transfer. This literature review describes MP exposure for representatives of the three pinniped families—true seals (Phocidae), eared seals (Otariidae), and walruses (Odobenus)—and is based on 26 studies. Data on MP content was reported in scat in 17 articles, in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in 8 articles, and in the blubber in 1 article. Plastic material was detected in 22 studies, with its overall occurrence varying from 0 to 100% of samples. In addition to the quantitative assessment of MP content, one study provides data on the correlation between MP levels in animal organisms and pollution biomarkers such as phthalates and porphyrins. The contemporary experience of studying MP ingestion and MP exposure for pinnipeds (Pinnipedia) is discussed step-by-step, focusing on: (1) collection, (2) extraction, and (3) identification methods. This review provides current and collated information on the methods and results of studies concerning MP exposure for pinnipeds (Pinnipedia), which can serve as a guide for future researchers in this area.
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Microplastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of marine mammals in all but one of 30 studies reviewed, with 0-88 particles per animal, and were detected in pinniped scat in 8 of 10 studies, though considerable methodological inconsistencies make cross-study comparisons difficult.
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