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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.
Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) play a crucial role in Arctic food webs as important pelagic predators and represent an essential component of Inuvialuit culture and food security. Plastic pollution is recognized as a global threat of concern, and Arctic regions may act as sinks for anthropogenic debris. To date, mixed evidence exists concerning the propensity for Canadian Arctic marine mammals to ingest and retain plastic. Our study builds on existing literature by offering the first assessment of plastic ingestion in ringed seals harvested in the western Canadian Arctic. We detected no evidence of microplastic (particles ≥80 μm) retention in the stomachs of ten ringed seals from the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in the Northwest Territories, Canada. These results are consistent with previous studies that have found that some marine mammals do not accumulate microplastics in evaluated regions.
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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.
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.
Plastic ingestion, retention, and transport in animals from the eastern Canadian Arctic
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This Canadian PhD research examined plastic ingestion and retention in seals and seabirds from the eastern Canadian Arctic, collecting 142 seal stomachs and using seabird fecal samples across multiple communities. Researchers found no evidence of accumulated plastic in seal stomachs, suggesting low plastic exposure during Arctic foraging, while seabird data provided complementary evidence on plastic transport through the food web. The study addresses gaps in understanding plastic pollution in high Arctic wildlife.
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.
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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.