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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Plastic Debris and Its Impacts on Marine Mammals

2023 9 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 40 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Bianca Unger, Bianca Unger, Katrin Kruse, Bianca Unger, Dennis Brennecke, Dennis Brennecke, Dennis Brennecke, Bianca Unger, Dennis Brennecke, Bianca Unger, Bianca Unger, Katrin Kruse, Bianca Unger, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Bianca Unger, Bianca Unger, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Bianca Unger, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Dennis Brennecke, Ursula Siebert Katrin Kruse, Ursula Siebert Ursula Siebert Dennis Brennecke, Katrin Kruse, Katrin Kruse, Katrin Kruse, Katrin Kruse, Katrin Kruse, Bianca Unger, Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Katrin Knickmeier, Dennis Brennecke, Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Ursula Siebert Ursula Siebert Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Dennis Brennecke, Ursula Siebert Bianca Unger, Bianca Unger, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Katrin Knickmeier, Ursula Siebert Ursula Siebert Bianca Unger, Ursula Siebert

Summary

This review examines how plastic debris in the world's oceans affects marine mammals through ingestion, entanglement, and chemical exposure, finding that the durability and widespread distribution of plastics make them a persistent and growing threat to cetaceans, pinnipeds, and other marine mammals.

Study Type Environmental

Abstract In recent decades, global plastic consumption has rapidly increased. Large quantities of plastics enter the environment in various ways, often ending up in the oceans. Plastic debris is nowadays found in any aquatic ecosystems. Due to its long durability, plastics may drift around with ocean currents for decades. Nowadays, plastic debris can be found in any aquatic ecosystem. Eventually, plastics decay into smaller fragments and sink to the seafloor. Marine mammals are affected by plastics in three major ways: They confuse large pieces of plastics with food, they become entangled in fishing nets, and they ingest smaller plastic fragments together with prey items. Here we discuss causes and solutions to these problems. We use exercises to investigate plastic debris in the environment and discuss how we all can become part of the solution through our own actions.

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