We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastic pollution and health metrics in wild juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from two Ecuadorian national parks: Galápagos and Machalilla
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined wild juvenile green sea turtles from two Ecuadorian national parks to assess plastic pollution in their feces and its relationship to health metrics. Using infrared spectroscopy, they identified various plastic polymers in fecal samples from both the Galapagos and Machalilla populations. The study provides evidence that plastic ingestion is widespread among young sea turtles, even in protected marine areas.
Marine vertebrates, particularly green sea turtles, are especially vulnerable to plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement. This study investigated wild juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from two Ecuadorian national parks (Galápagos and Machallilla) to assess the prevalence of plastic pollution in their feces and its potential impact on various health metrics. We analyzed fecal samples from 46 juvenile green sea turtles using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to quantify microplastics (MPs). A complementary methodology using pressurized liquid extraction with double-shot pyrolysis-mass spectrometry gas chromatography (Pyr-GC/MS) was also employed to quantify synthetic polymer mass concentrations. The results from these analyses were compared with blood analytes. FT-IR analysis revealed a mean of 4.4±5.2 MPs/g in fecal samples, with the highest quantities found in the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). The most common MPs shape identified were fibers (x̄= 3.8±4.5 MPs/g), and the predominant synthetic polymers were polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and polyacrylates (PMMA). The daily intake of MPs by the sampled turtles ranged from a minimum of 312±409 MPs/day to a maximum of 430±563 MPs/day. Pyr-GC/MS analysis detected polyethylene (PE) with a mean of 367±1158 µg/g and polypropylene (PP) with a mean of 155±434 µg/g in fecal samples, with the highest pollution levels observed in the GMR. Both FT-IR and Pyr-GC/MS techniques detected plastic pollution in 98% of the sampled population. Although both FT-IR and Pyr-GC/MS are reliable methods, they produced slightly different results due to methodological variations. However, both supported the finding that turtles in the GMR were exposed to higher rates of plastic ingestion. Despite the turtles appearing clinically healthy based on blood analysis, significant differences in eleven health metrics were observed between turtles classified as less at risk and those most at risk for plastic pollution. Further research is necessary to understand the potential health implications of these findings.
More Papers Like This
Microplásticos presentes en lavados esofágicos de la tortuga verde (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) en el Parque Nacional Zona Marina Archipiélago Espíritu Santo, Baja California Sur
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented microplastics in esophageal lavage samples from green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Espíritu Santo Archipelago Marine National Park in Baja California Sur, contributing evidence of plastic ingestion in this protected marine species within a designated conservation area.
A non-invasive method of microplastics pollution quantification in green sea turtle Chelonia mydas of the Mexican Caribbean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a non-invasive method of analyzing green sea turtle feces to measure microplastic contamination near the Caribbean coast of Mexico, finding between 10 and 89 microplastic particles per gram. Fibers were the most common type, made of nylon, PVC, polypropylene, and polyester. The study shows that even marine wildlife in relatively remote areas is exposed to significant microplastic pollution, and provides a way to monitor contamination without harming the animals.
Assessing the health impact of plastic pollution (pp) on the Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus).
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed plastic pollution exposure in 98 Galapagos marine iguanas across four subspecies and three bioregions, finding synthetic items in 49 animals via FT-IR imaging, with alpha-cellulose, nylon, polyester, and polyethylene as the dominant materials, and pyrolysis GC/MS confirming polypropylene and polyethylene in muscle tissue. Despite widespread plastic exposure, standard health indicators remained within clinically normal ranges, though some blood parameters differed between iguanas with and without detectable microplastics.
Ingestion of microplastic debris by green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Great Barrier Reef: Validation of a sequential extraction protocol
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed and validated a sequential extraction protocol for recovering microplastics from green sea turtle intestinal contents, finding microplastics in turtles from the Great Barrier Reef. The validated method enables more consistent and accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in sea turtles, which are both ecologically important and frequently exposed to marine debris.
Plastic contamination of a Galapagos Island (Ecuador) and the relative risks to native marine species
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of plastic contamination across the marine ecosystem of a Galapagos island — covering beaches, water, sediment, and invertebrates — and found widespread contamination including in native species, identifying dominant sources and risk levels for key marine animals.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.