We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in patagonian marine mammals: where do they come from and what is their fate once ingested?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the sources and fate of microplastics ingested by Patagonian marine mammals, examining tissue distribution and accumulation pathways to understand how these particles move through the bodies of apex predators in southern ocean ecosystems.
Experiment is an online platform for funding and sharing scientific discoveries. Push the boundaries of knowledge in biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, computer science, paleontology, economics, engineering, neuroscience, and more.
More Papers Like This
What goes in, must come out: Combining scat‐based molecular diet analysis and quantification of ingested microplastics in a marine top predator
AI summary Read the abstract
By combining molecular diet analysis from seal scat with quantification of ingested microplastics, researchers found that a marine top predator was regularly ingesting plastic particles, with exposure likely mediated through prey species that had themselves ingested plastics. The study demonstrates trophic transfer of microplastics through a food chain to a marine mammal predator.
Marine Debris Reach Antarctic Seals: Fibers Are the Main Ingested Microplastic
AI summary Read the abstract
Antarctic seals were found to have ingested microplastics, with fibers being the most common type detected — likely originating from atmospheric deposition or contaminated prey. The findings extend known microplastic contamination to a charismatic and ecologically important Antarctic predator. As plastic pollution increases in the Southern Ocean, large marine mammals face growing exposure through both direct ingestion and the food chain.
All guts, no glory: ingested microplastics in marine mammals
AI summary Read the abstract
This brief review summarized findings on microplastic ingestion by marine mammals, noting that microplastics have been found in a wide range of marine habitats and are consumed by animals from the base of the food chain to large top predators. Marine mammals serve as important sentinels for tracking microplastic contamination through marine ecosystems.
Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Antarctica: Using penguins as biological samplers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used penguin fecal samples collected from three species across the Antarctic Peninsula over seven breeding seasons to assess microplastic ingestion in these seabirds. Finding microplastics in Antarctic penguin feces confirms that plastic pollution has reached even remote polar food webs, with krill serving as a potential pathway for transferring microplastics to penguins.
Presence of Polymers in Marine Mammals
AI summary Read the abstract
This Spanish-language review examined the types and body distribution of polymer microplastics found in marine mammals over recent years. It synthesizes evidence that marine mammals ingest and accumulate microplastics from their environment and food sources, raising concerns about plastic exposure in these long-lived, top predators.
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.