We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A first comprehensive quantification of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tract of endangered caspian seals (Pusa caspica) from the Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic ingestion in Caspian seals (Pusa caspica), examining the gastrointestinal tracts of 17 carcasses along the southern Caspian Sea coast and using FTIR spectroscopy to characterise particles larger than 50 micrometres.
Microplastics (MPs) are considered a serious threat to the Caspian seal (Pusa caspica), an endangered species, apex predator, and bioindicator in the Caspian Sea. The first assessment of MP ingestion in Caspian seals is presented in this work. For this purpose, the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of 17 Caspian seal carcasses along the southern Caspian Sea coast were examined. Alkaline digestion and density separation methods were used to extract MPs. The morphology, size, and color of particles larger than 50 μm were visually detected and categorized, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was utilized to confirm the polymer composition. A total of 174 MPs were found in the GITs of all seals, with a mean of 10.2 ± 5.1 MPs/GIT and 0.87 MPs/g of dry content. There was no significant difference in MP levels in the GIT between males and females. The stomach had the highest particle density (0.93 ± 0.11 MPs/g), while the large intestine had the highest total number of MPs (104 particles). In terms of morphology, fibers predominated (52.3 %), followed by fragments (31.6 %) and films (16.1 %). The majority of MPs were tiny, with 85 % of them being between 0 and 2 mm. Polyethylene and polyester have been determined to be the most abundant polymers, containing more than 58 % of the MPs. The most present particle color (43.7 %, n = 76) was black. This study shows that MPs are widely and diversely present in Caspian seals, which is a serious warning for the survival of this vulnerable species.
More Papers Like This
Assessment of microplastic contamination in some commercial fishes of the southern Caspian Sea and its potential risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in the digestive tracts of 384 fish from four species collected across 11 sites in the southern Caspian Sea. Evidence indicates that nearly 69% of fish contained microplastics, with fibers being the most common type, highlighting widespread plastic pollution in this important inland sea and potential risks to both aquatic life and human seafood consumers.
Occurrence of Microplastics in Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) from German Waters
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Investigating Microplastic Presence Amongst Grey Seals (Halichoerus Grypus) of the North Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from grey seals in the North Sea and found 71 microplastic particles — mostly fibers and fragments — confirming that wild marine mammals in European waters are ingesting microplastics through their prey. Marine mammals at the top of the food chain can accumulate microplastics from the fish they eat.
Using a non-invasive technique for the preliminary estimation of microplastics in Callorhinus ursinus Linnaeus (1758) (Pinnipedia, Otariidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed six scat samples from northern fur seals in the Sea of Okhotsk using Raman spectroscopy to non-invasively screen for microplastic contamination, finding very few confirmed plastic microfibers but a substantially higher load of anthropogenic particles — primarily cellulose fibers with synthetic dyes — highlighting the need for larger sample sizes and mandatory chemical confirmation.
Microplastic Pollution in the Gastrointestinal Tract and Gills of Some Teleost and Sturgeon Fish from the Caspian Sea, Northern Iran
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of three teleost fish species and one sturgeon from the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, with mean counts ranging from 1.0 to 2.8 microplastics per fish. This is the first report documenting microplastics in sturgeon from the Caspian Sea, highlighting contamination of commercially and ecologically important fish.
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.