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First detection of plastic microfibers in a wild population of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) in the Chilean Northern Patagonia
Marine Pollution Bulletin2018
82 citations
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Score: 40
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Camila Ahrendt,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Camila Ahrendt,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Camila Ahrendt,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Camila Ahrendt,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Camila Ahrendt,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
José Pulgar,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio Seguel,
Camila Ahrendt,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina
Camila Ahrendt,
Camila Ahrendt,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Hector Pavés,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
José Pulgar,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
José Pulgar,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Camila Ahrendt,
Camila Ahrendt,
José Pulgar,
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Mauricio Seguel,
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Diego Pérez‐Venegas,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Cristóbal Galbán‐Malagón,
Mauricio A. Urbina,
Mauricio A. Urbina
Summary
Researchers detected plastic microfibers in scats of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) in Chilean Northern Patagonia, providing the first evidence of microfiber contamination in this wild pinniped population and highlighting marine microplastic exposure in a relatively remote Southern Hemisphere habitat.
The dramatic increase of microplastics (plastic fragments <5 mm) in marine environments is a problem that has attracted public attention globally. Within the different types of microplastics, microfibres are the least studied (size <1 mm). We examined 51 female scats from a population in Northern Patagonia. Our results showed no presence of microplastic particles, however 67% of them showed a remarkable abundance of microfibers, which until now had only been reported in animals fed in captivity. As a result of this work we propose that the examination of scats from South American Fur Seal and also other pinnipeds could be an efficient tool to monitor environmental levels of microfibres and maybe microplastics in the environment due to the easy recognition of the animals and their scats.