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Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios
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Researchers compared microplastic interactions with fin whale populations in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez. The study found considerable microplastic abundance in surface water samples from both regions, suggesting that baleen whales that feed by filtering large volumes of seawater face significant exposure to microplastic contamination.
The impact that microplastics have on baleen whales is a question that remains largely unexplored. This study examined the interaction between free-ranging fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and microplastics by comparing populations living in two semi-enclosed basins, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California, Mexico). The results indicate that a considerable abundance of microplastics and plastic additives exists in the neustonic samples from Pelagos Sanctuary of the Mediterranean Sea, and that pelagic areas containing high densities of microplastics overlap with whale feeding grounds, suggesting that whales are exposed to microplastics during foraging; this was confirmed by the observation of a temporal increase in toxicological stress in whales. Given the abundance of microplastics in the Mediterranean environment, along with the high concentrations of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemicals, plastic additives and biomarker responses detected in the biopsies of Mediterranean whales as compared to those in whales inhabiting the Sea of Cortez, we believe that exposure to microplastics because of direct ingestion and consumption of contaminated prey poses a major threat to the health of fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Are fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) exposed to microplastics toxicological threat
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Researchers investigated whether fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea face toxicological risks from microplastics, by counting microplastics in surface waters and measuring phthalate concentrations in whale samples. The study compared two whale populations in areas of different human pressure to assess how microplastic-associated chemical contamination may affect these filter-feeding marine mammals.
Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
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This case study estimated how many microplastics Mediterranean fin whales and basking sharks might ingest through filter feeding, using feeding rate data and measured microplastic concentrations. The study raised concern that large filter feeders accumulate significant plastic loads and that the associated chemical burden from sorbed pollutants may pose health risks to these protected species.
Modelling plastics exposure for the marine biota: Risk maps for fin whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary (North-Western Mediterranean)
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Researchers modeled microplastic exposure for fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea, creating risk maps based on whale habitat use and microplastic distribution. The study found high overlap between whale feeding areas and areas of elevated microplastic concentrations, suggesting significant ingestion risk for this endangered species.
Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: The case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
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This study investigated whether baleen whales and basking sharks — large filter feeders — ingest microplastics in the Mediterranean and found evidence that both species are exposed to plastic contamination through their filtration feeding behavior. The authors used feeding ecology modeling to estimate plastic ingestion rates and identify associated toxicological risks.
Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach
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Researchers used ocean circulation models and whale habitat models to investigate the overlap between marine litter accumulation zones and fin whale feeding grounds in the Mediterranean's Pelagos Sanctuary. They found that modeled plastic debris convergence areas coincided with areas where fin whales are most likely to feed. The study raises concerns that filter-feeding whales in this marine protected area may be regularly exposed to elevated levels of microplastic and macrolitter.
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.