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First Assessment of Micro-Litter Ingested by Dolphins, Sea Turtles and Monk Seals Found Stranded along the Coasts of Samos Island, Greece
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Researchers found micro-litter — including microplastics and synthetic fibers — in the digestive systems of dolphins, sea turtles, and monk seals stranded on Samos Island, Greece, providing the first evidence of plastic ingestion by marine megafauna in the northeastern Aegean Sea.
This study is the first to assess the occurrence of micro-litter ingested by marine megafauna in the north-eastern Aegean Sea. A total of 25 specimens from four species of marine mammals, including dolphins and monk seals, and two species of sea turtles, found stranded along the coastline of Samos Island, Greece, were selected for the analysis. Litter particles, identified as microplastics (MPs), were ubiquitous throughout all sections of the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and intestine) in all specimens. Overall, the MPs most frequently found were black fibres 0.21-0.50 mm in size. These results provide insight into the extent of micro-litter ingestion and contamination in marine vertebrates. Here we propose a method of standardisation to establish a baseline for marine taxa in this region of the Mediterranean Sea, where knowledge of the topic is still lacking.
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Marine Litter, Plastics and Microplastics in the Aegean Archipelago: Current Knowledge and Priorities for the Future
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The Aegean Archipelago shows widespread contamination with macro-litter, mesoplastics, and microplastics from marine currents, coastal tourism, and fishing activities. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps and sets research priorities for monitoring and mitigating plastic pollution in this ecologically sensitive Mediterranean region.
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Researchers analyzed microplastics in the digestive tracts of 12 stranded marine animals in South Korea, including whales, porpoises, dolphins, and sea turtles, detecting microplastic contamination across all species examined between 2019 and 2021.
Microplastics Prevalence in Different Cetaceans Stranded along the Western Taiwan Strait
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Researchers examined microplastic prevalence in nine stranded cetaceans of four species along the Western Taiwan Strait, including common dolphins and pygmy sperm whales. Microplastics were detected in the majority of animals, with fibers as the dominant type, highlighting widespread plastic ingestion by apex marine predators in this region.
Microplastic Occurrence in the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea
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A stranded Risso's dolphin in the northeastern Mediterranean was found to contain 454 microplastic particles in its gastrointestinal tract. Fibers and fragments were the most common forms, including polypropylene and polyethylene. This case study documents microplastic ingestion by a cetacean species and contributes to growing evidence of widespread plastic contamination in Mediterranean marine mammals.
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Researchers assessed biodiversity risks in the Pelagos Sanctuary, a protected area in the northwestern Mediterranean designated for cetacean conservation, from marine plastic pollution including microplastics. The study quantified plastic contamination within the sanctuary and evaluated the exposure risk for protected species including dolphins and whales.
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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.