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Identification and characterization of plastic debris in the gastrointestinal tract of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Espírito Santo coast, Brazil
Summary
This study identified and characterized macro, meso, and microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 12 Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from southern Brazil. Plastic debris was detected in the majority of animals, with fibers and fragments as dominant types, highlighting the threat of plastic pollution to this vulnerable cetacean species.
The Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) is categorized as vulnerable in the Brazilian list of endangered animals, and its populations suffer from several anthropological threats. In this study, we analyzed the presence of macro, meso, and microplastics (MPs) in Guiana dolphins (n = 12) in Brazil Southeastern coast by analysing their gastrointestinal tract. The MP extractions were carried out with HO (35 %) to remove organic matter. Four specimens ingested meso and macroplastics, including an item of polypropylene of 19.22 cm that was produced about 943 km from the place in which the animal was found stranded. All the specimens analyzed had fragment-type microplastics in their intestines. Blue was the prevailing color, followed by black, green, and red. We highlight the contamination by microplastics in the species, still little investigated, especially the need to understand the contamination by microplastics along trophic levels.