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Investigating Microplastic Presence Amongst Grey Seals (Halichoerus Grypus) of the North Sea
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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.
Abstract Plastic pollution is of increasing concern to marine ecosystems worldwide. Specifically, microplastics (<5mm) may interact with a variety of biota with potential to cause harm to organism health. Studies concerning microplastics are increasing, yet their occurrence within live marine mammals remains largely unexplored. Here, faecal samples collected from a haul-out site in the North Sea, were used to investigate microplastic pollution within grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). 71 microplastic particles, consisting of both fibres and fragments in a variety of colours and sizes, were identified across 66 scat subsamples analysed. This indicates that marine mammals are ingesting microplastics and that faecal material can be used to indirectly and humanely record microplastic uptake data in pinnipeds. Since the current paper is the first to document microplastic exposure amongst wild, living and free-ranging grey seals in the North Sea, further research is needed to begin to understand the biological significance of these findings.
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Investigating microplastic trophic transfer in marine top predators
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Researchers investigated trophic transfer of microplastics in grey seals by analyzing digestive tracts of wild-caught Atlantic mackerel (fed to captive seals) alongside seal scat. Microplastics were detected in both prey fish and seal scat, providing empirical in natura evidence for trophic transfer in a marine top predator.
Occurrence of Microplastics in Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) from German Waters
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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.
Handle with Care—Microplastic Particles in Intestine Samples of Seals from German Waters
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Researchers found microplastic particles — mostly fragments and fibers — in the intestines and feces of harbor seals and grey seals in German North Sea and Baltic Sea waters. This confirms microplastics have reached marine mammal top predators, raising concerns about contamination throughout the food chain.
Investigating microplastic trophic transfer in marine top predators
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Researchers investigated whether microplastics can transfer through the food chain by analyzing the scat of captive grey seals and the wild mackerel they were fed. They found microplastics in about half of the seal scat samples and a third of the fish, with similar particle types in both. The study suggests that trophic transfer is a plausible route for microplastics to move up marine food chains to top predators.
Using a non‐invasive technique to identify suspected microplastics in grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) living in the western North Sea
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Faecal samples from living wild grey seals in the western North Sea were analyzed for suspected microplastics, representing the first non-invasive record of microplastic exposure in this wild pinniped population. The study demonstrates that faecal analysis can provide indirect evidence of microplastic ingestion in free-ranging marine mammals without requiring capture or euthanasia.
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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.