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Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers retrospectively analyzed records of 388 stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand from 2017-2020 and examined macroplastics from the gastrointestinal tracts of 30 dead turtles and 13 beaches, finding that green turtles (Chelonia mydas) comprised the majority of strandings and that plastic ingestion and entanglement were significant mortality factors.
The impact of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) on marine life is a global concern but has rarely been investigated in Thailand. This study investigated the relationship between stranded sea turtles and macroplastics in the Central Gulf of Thailand. Records of stranded turtles (n = 388) from 2017-2020 were analysed retrospectively to determine their interaction with macroplastics. In addition, macroplastics collected from the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of 30 dead stranded turtles and 13 beaches (along a 100 m transect mid-way between high and low tide) between 2019 and 2020 were investigated. Types and composition of macroplastics were identified with the use of a stereomicroscope and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Green turtles Chelonia mydas comprised the majority of stranded turtles (74%, n = 251), and macroplastics (entanglement or ingestion) were the leading cause of death (n = 152). Most stranded turtles were juveniles (65%), and their stranding was significantly correlated with macroplastics (p < 0.001). Juveniles were more prone than adults to become entangled (p = 0.007), while adults had a higher ingestion rate than juveniles (p = 0.009). Plastic fibres were commonly found in the GI tracts (62%, n = 152 of 244) and beaches (64%, n = 74 of 115). Most fibres from the GI tracts (83%, n = 126 of 152) and beaches (93%, n = 68 of 74) were fishing nets made of polyethylene or polypropylene. We conclude that fishing nets are a significant cause of sea turtle stranding in the Central Gulf of Thailand, and this issue requires immediate resolution.
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Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated the association between macroplastic debris and sea turtles stranded in the Central Gulf of Thailand, finding plastic-related entanglement and ingestion in a substantial fraction of 388 examined turtles. The findings document the ongoing threat of plastic pollution to sea turtle populations in the region.
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Researchers examined plastic ingestion in carcasses of five green turtles and five hawksbill turtles found dead on Enggano Island, Indonesia, finding that both macroplastics and microplastics were detected in 100% of individuals, with 164 macroplastic items recovered from green turtles and fragments being the dominant plastic category.
Ingestion of microplastic debris by green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Great Barrier Reef: Validation of a sequential extraction protocol
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Researchers developed and validated a sequential extraction protocol for recovering microplastics from green sea turtle intestinal contents, finding microplastics in turtles from the Great Barrier Reef. The validated method enables more consistent and accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in sea turtles, which are both ecologically important and frequently exposed to marine debris.
Assessment of microplastic pollution in corals, seawater, and marine sediments in the Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence, abundance, and characteristics in coral, seawater, and sediment samples from two reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand, detecting microplastics in all coral samples at concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 2.60 particles per gram and finding spatial variability across reef species and sites.
Microplastics on beaches along the eastern Gulf of Thailand – A preliminary study
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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.