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Occurrence of microplastics across tissues in North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)
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Microplastics were found in 32.5% of tissue samples across five organs of North Atlantic fin whales, with blubber showing the highest abundance and polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene as dominant polymers. The detection of microplastics in multiple tissues of a large marine mammal confirms systemic internal exposure and highlights ocean-wide contamination reaching apex filter-feeders.
As long-lived filter-feeders, baleen whales integrate and reflect changes in ocean contamination, including exposure to microplastics (MPs). This study reports the occurrence of MPs in multiple tissues of North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) collected off southwestern Iceland in 2023. Five tissues (blubber, muscle, liver, lung, and kidney) from eight individuals were analyzed using the Micro-FTIR and Micro-Raman spectroscopy under strict contamination control. MPs occurred in 32.5% of the samples (13/40; n = 16 particles), predominantly as blue fragments (75%) with an average length of 67.2 ± 33.8 μm. Polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene were the most common polymers. Although overall tissue differences were minimal, blubber contained the highest MP abundance and longer average particles than other tissues. These findings provide evidence of MP tissue-specific accumulation within a mysticete species and highlight the need to clarify the mechanisms and implications of MP accumulation in marine megafauna.
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Microplastics in large whales occasionally found in German waters
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Researchers examined microplastic occurrence in intestinal and fecal samples from 19 large whales stranded on German and Danish coasts between 2016 and 2022, using Nile Red staining, fluorescence microscopy, and µFTIR spectroscopy for particle identification. They found an average of 4.6 MPs per individual in odontocetes and 3.3 MPs in mysticetes, with polyamide and polyester as the dominant polymer types and an equal ratio of fragments to fibers.
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.
Matter of fac(ies)t? - Microplastic findings in stranded cetaceans along the German coastlines
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Researchers analyzed faeces and gastrointestinal tracts from 21 cetaceans stranded along German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts between 2016 and 2021, including the 2016 bachelor sperm whale stranding event, using washing machine cleaning, Nile Red staining, fluorescence microscopy, and µFTIR spectroscopy. Multiple polymer types were identified including polyester, polyolefins, polyamide, and polyethylene across both toothed and baleen whale species.
Tissue-specific microplastic burden in cetacean non-digestive organs
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Researchers analyzed microplastic accumulation in non-digestive tissues of nearshore and offshore cetacean species and found widespread contamination, with detection rates exceeding 75% across organs including heart, liver, and lung. The characteristics of microplastics varied more between tissue types than between species, suggesting that organ physiology influences particle accumulation patterns. The study emphasizes the importance of examining multiple tissues to understand the full extent of microplastic pollution in marine mammals.
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