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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
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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.
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Marine Debris Reach Antarctic Seals: Fibers Are the Main Ingested Microplastic
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Antarctic seals were found to have ingested microplastics, with fibers being the most common type detected — likely originating from atmospheric deposition or contaminated prey. The findings extend known microplastic contamination to a charismatic and ecologically important Antarctic predator. As plastic pollution increases in the Southern Ocean, large marine mammals face growing exposure through both direct ingestion and the food chain.
No evidence of microplastics in Antarctic fur seal scats from a hotspot of human activity in Western Antarctica
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Examination of Antarctic fur seal feces from Deception Island revealed no microplastics among the fragments and fibers recovered, which were instead identified as silicate minerals and chitin from prey. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution levels in the pelagic food web of the western Antarctic Peninsula region remain very low.
Evaluating exposure of northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus, to microplastic pollution through fecal analysis
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Fecal samples from 44 northern fur seals across their eastern Pacific range were analyzed for microplastics, with plastic fragments found in 55% and fibers in 41% of scats, and a mean of 16.6 fragments/scat among positive samples. The study documents microplastic exposure in a marine mammal species consumed by humans, raising questions about potential exposure during subsistence harvesting.
Anthropogenic debris in three sympatric seal species of the Western Antarctic Peninsula
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three seal species inhabiting the Western Antarctic Peninsula: crabeater, leopard, and Weddell seals. The study confirmed the presence of anthropogenic debris in these Antarctic marine mammals, demonstrating that microplastic pollution has reached even remote polar ecosystems and their wildlife.
Monitoring the occurrence of microplastic ingestion in Otariids along the Peruvian and Chilean coasts
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Researchers monitored microplastic ingestion in four pinniped species across five sites along the Peruvian and Chilean coasts by analyzing 205 scat samples, finding that 68% contained microplastic fragments or fibers — predominantly blue-colored — and that 81.5% were confirmed anthropogenic in origin.
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.