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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.
Ocean contamination by plastics is a global issue. Although ingestion of plastic debris by sea turtles has been widely documented, contamination by microplastics (<5mm) is poorly known and likely to be under-reported. We developed a microplastic extraction protocol for examining green turtle (Chelonia mydas) chyme, which is multifarious in nature, by modifying and combining pre-established methods used to separate microplastics from organic matter and sediments. This protocol consists of visual inspection, nitric acid digestion, emulsification of residual fat, density separation, and chemical identification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This protocol enables the extraction of polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, (aminoethyl) polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride microplastics >100μm. Two macroplastics and seven microplastics (two plastic paint chips and five synthetic fabric particles) were isolated from subsamples of two green turtles. Our results highlight the need for more research towards understanding the impact of microplastics on these threatened marine reptiles.
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Researchers used a non-invasive method of analyzing green sea turtle feces to measure microplastic contamination near the Caribbean coast of Mexico, finding between 10 and 89 microplastic particles per gram. Fibers were the most common type, made of nylon, PVC, polypropylene, and polyester. The study shows that even marine wildlife in relatively remote areas is exposed to significant microplastic pollution, and provides a way to monitor contamination without harming the animals.
Protocol optimization for microplastic analysis in sea turtles: Including the first blood digestion method
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Researchers developed and validated a two-step chemical digestion protocol for extracting microplastics from multiple sea turtle tissue types — including blood, for the first time — achieving recovery rates of 70–84% and providing a reproducible baseline method for studying microplastic bioaccumulation and maternal transfer in marine reptiles.
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Researchers developed a standardized protocol for collecting and analyzing marine litter ingested by sea turtles, providing methodology for extracting and quantifying litter items from dead turtles to fulfill EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive requirements for assessing Good Environmental Status.
Microplásticos presentes en lavados esofágicos de la tortuga verde (Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758) en el Parque Nacional Zona Marina Archipiélago Espíritu Santo, Baja California Sur
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Researchers documented microplastics in esophageal lavage samples from green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Espíritu Santo Archipelago Marine National Park in Baja California Sur, contributing evidence of plastic ingestion in this protected marine species within a designated conservation area.
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.