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What's in the soup? Visual characterization and polymer analysis of microplastics from an Indonesian manta ray feeding ground
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Microplastics collected from an Indonesian manta ray feeding ground were characterized for polymer type and physical properties, finding a diverse mix of synthetic polymers that mirrors the plastic pollution profile of Indonesian coastal waters.
Plastics in marine environments vary in their physical and chemical properties, influencing their risk to biota once ingested. Manta rays are large filter-feeders that ingest plastics. To assess this risk, we characterized the plastics in a critical feeding habitat off Nusa Penida, Indonesia. We examined the color and polymer composition of sampled small-sized plastics (<30 mm). Plastics were mostly secondary microplastics and transparent (46%), white/off-white (24%), and blue/green (22%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of plastics grouped according to type (films, fragments, foam, or lines) and color indicated that most plastics were polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) (99%), with the remainder polystyrene and polyester. Visual characterization aligned with single polymer composition in seven out of ten groups. Although PE and PP have relatively low toxicity compared to other plastics, their composing monomers and associated pollutants and microbes are of concern to manta rays and other marine biota.
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Microplastics on the Menu: Plastics Pollute Indonesian Manta Ray and Whale Shark Feeding Grounds
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Plastic abundance was surveyed at feeding grounds for manta rays and whale sharks in three coastal Indonesian locations using plankton net trawls and visual surveys, finding microplastics throughout waters in a global marine biodiversity hotspot. The study highlights the risk posed by plastic pollution to large filter-feeding megafauna in one of the world's most plastic-polluted regions.
A microplastic meal: A baseline assessment of microplastic polymer presence within manta-ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding grounds at D'Arros Island and the St. Joseph Atoll
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Researchers used plankton tows at reef manta ray feeding grounds in the Seychelles to characterize microplastic polymer types present, identifying polybutylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer and flagging polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, PVC, and PBT as very high concern — though total microplastic abundance did not correlate with zooplankton biomass, suggesting manta rays do not preferentially ingest more MPs at active feeding aggregations.
Karakteristik Mikroplastik pada Daerah Feeding Ground Pari Manta, Big Manta Bay, Nusa Penida
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This study characterized microplastics in the feeding grounds of manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at Big Manta Bay in Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Because manta rays are obligate filter feeders, microplastic contamination in their habitat raises concerns about inadvertent ingestion and health effects.
From megafauna to microplastics: Understanding habit use reveals potential threats to Indonesia's manta rays
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Researchers used tracking data and habitat models to assess threats to manta rays in Indonesia, including fishing interactions, tourism pressure, and environmental contamination. The paper identifies microplastic exposure as a concern for filter-feeding manta rays that ingest large volumes of water along with their prey.
No escape from microplastics: Contamination of reef manta ray feeding areas in a remote, protected archipelago
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding areas within a remote, protected archipelago, finding that even isolated marine protected areas are not free from microplastic pollution, raising concerns about filter-feeding marine megafauna in decline.
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.