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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to A Quantitative Analysis of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Odontocetes in the Southeast Region of the United States
ClearMicroplastics in the digestive tracts of 7 whale species
Researchers examined microplastic pollution in the digestive tracts of 12 individual whales across seven species, including freshwater and nearshore species. The study characterized microplastic pollution levels and types across different parts of the digestive system, providing data on how large marine mammals are exposed to microplastic contamination.
Ingestion of microplastics by fish and other prey organisms of cetaceans, exemplified for two large baleen whale species
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in the prey species of minke and sei whales, finding microplastics were widespread in krill, fish, and other whale food. Since cetaceans consume large quantities of these prey, they are likely ingesting significant amounts of microplastics indirectly through their diet.
Microplastics in large marine animals stranded in the Republic of Korea
Researchers analyzed microplastics in the digestive tracts of 12 stranded marine animals in South Korea, including whales, porpoises, dolphins, and sea turtles, detecting microplastic contamination across all species examined between 2019 and 2021.
Microplastics in marine mammals stranded around the British coast: ubiquitous but transitory?
Researchers examined the entire digestive tracts of 50 stranded marine mammals from 10 species around the British coast and found microplastics in every single animal. However, the relatively low particle counts suggest that microplastics may pass through the gut rather than accumulate permanently. The findings indicate that microplastic ingestion is ubiquitous among marine mammals, though the long-term health consequences remain unclear.
Microplastics in marine mammals stranded around the British coast: ubiquitous but transitory?
Researchers examined whole digestive tracts of 50 stranded marine mammals from 10 UK species and found microplastics in every animal (mean 5.5 particles). The low numbers and predominance in stomachs versus intestines suggest particles are largely transitory rather than accumulating permanently in marine mammal guts.
Microplastics in large whales occasionally found in German waters
Researchers examined microplastic occurrence in intestinal and fecal samples from 18 whales and dolphins stranded on German and Danish North Sea and Baltic Sea coastlines between 2016 and 2022, finding an average of 4.6 MPs in odontocetes and 3.3 MPs in mysticetes per sample, with polyamide and polyester the dominant polymers and equal proportions of fragments and fibers.
7种鲸类消化道中微塑料
Researchers examined microplastic pollution in the digestive tracts of 12 individual whales from seven different species, including freshwater and nearshore varieties. The study characterized microplastic pollution levels across different parts of the digestive system and provided policy recommendations based on the contamination patterns observed.
First report from North America of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of stranded bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
This study reported the first North American case of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of stranded bottlenose dolphins, finding particles in the majority of animals examined. The detection of microplastics in apex marine predators like dolphins indicates that plastic contamination has penetrated far up the marine food chain.
Microplastics in gastric samples from common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) residing in Sarasota Bay FL (USA)
Microplastics were detected in gastric samples from common bottlenose dolphins residing in Sarasota Bay, Florida, confirming that even marine mammals in a relatively studied coastal area are exposed to plastic debris. The results add to evidence that microplastics are widespread in the marine food web and that dolphins serve as useful sentinels for coastal pollution.
When the small ones tease the largest: Microplastic and phthalate ester occurrence in cetaceans occasionally found in the German North Sea and Baltic Sea
Seven cetacean species stranded on Germany's North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts were examined for microplastics and phthalate esters, with microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals detected in intestinal and fecal samples across baleen and toothed whale species alike.
Microplastic in a macro filter feeder: Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Researchers documented the first confirmed presence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of a baleen whale (humpback whale), finding multiple polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET in particle sizes from 1 mm to 17 cm, reflecting both the diversity of marine plastic pollution and the unselective filter-feeding strategy of these large marine mammals.
Cetaceans as Ocean Health Indicators of Marine Litter Impact at Global Scale
This review synthesized global evidence on how marine litter, including both macro- and micro-scale plastic, impacts cetacean species through entanglement and ingestion. It called for better understanding of current and predicted impacts to inform conservation measures for whale and dolphin populations.
Preliminary Study on Microplastic Contamination in Black Sea Cetaceans: Gastrointestinal Analysis of Phocoena phocoena relicta and Tursiops truncatus ponticus
Researchers conducted a preliminary study of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of Black Sea harbor porpoises and bottlenose dolphins, documenting microplastic presence and characterizing particle types and polymer compositions.
Marine mammals and microplastics: A systematic review and call for standardisation
Microplastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of marine mammals in all but one of 30 studies reviewed, with 0-88 particles per animal, and were detected in pinniped scat in 8 of 10 studies, though considerable methodological inconsistencies make cross-study comparisons difficult.
Assessing microplastic pollution in marine mammals: evidence from three cetacean species in the southeastern Black Sea
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in the digestive tracts of three cetacean species from the southeastern Black Sea, finding particles in all seven individuals studied. Fiber-shaped microplastics were the most common type, and polymer analysis identified polyester and polyamide as the dominant materials. The study adds to growing evidence that marine mammals accumulate microplastics through the food chain, raising concerns about the health of top ocean predators.
Plastic pollution and ocean giants: Investigating the extent and impacts of plastic ingestion by marine megafauna
Researchers investigated the extent and impacts of plastic pollution on ocean giants including large marine vertebrates such as whales, basking sharks, and manta rays, which are exposed to microplastics through filter feeding and ingestion of contaminated prey. The review found growing evidence of microplastic ingestion in these species, with potential consequences for their health and conservation.
Cetaceans and microplastics: First report of microplastic ingestion by a coastal delphinid, Sousa chinensis
Researchers reported the first documented case of microplastic ingestion by the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), finding microplastics in the intestinal contents of both adult and calf individuals. The findings indicate that both prey consumption and unintentional ingestion are likely exposure pathways for microplastic accumulation in this coastal cetacean species.
Field measurements reveal exposure risk to microplastic ingestion by filter-feeding megafauna
Researchers combined ocean microplastic data with high-resolution whale feeding measurements to estimate how much plastic blue, fin, and humpback whales ingest in the California Current Ecosystem. They found that whales likely consume millions of microplastic particles per day, primarily through contaminated prey rather than direct filtration of water. The study reveals that filter-feeding whales face far greater microplastic exposure than previously estimated.
Zoop to poop: assessment of microparticle loads in gray whale zooplankton prey and fecal matter reveal high daily consumption rates
Researchers measured microplastic loads in the zooplankton prey and fecal matter of gray whales feeding off the Oregon coast, producing the first empirically-based estimates of daily microplastic consumption by a baleen whale. All zooplankton species examined contained microplastics, averaging four particles per gram, mostly tiny fibers. Based on these measurements, the study estimates that pregnant and lactating gray whales may consume between 6.5 and 21 million microplastic particles per day through their food alone.
Microplastics Prevalence in Different Cetaceans Stranded along the Western Taiwan Strait
Researchers examined microplastic prevalence in nine stranded cetaceans of four species along the Western Taiwan Strait, including common dolphins and pygmy sperm whales. Microplastics were detected in the majority of animals, with fibers as the dominant type, highlighting widespread plastic ingestion by apex marine predators in this region.
First Evidence of Retrospective Findings of Microplastics in Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) From German Waters
Researchers investigated microplastic ingestion in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from German waters using retrospective intestinal samples, providing among the first evidence of microplastic accumulation in this top predator cetacean species.
Tissue-specific microplastic burden in cetacean non-digestive organs
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.
Microplastics in large marine herbivores: Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in Tampa Bay
Researchers documented microplastic ingestion in Florida manatees for the first time, finding microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 26 dead individuals from Tampa Bay and identifying fibers, fragments, and films from multiple polymer types.
Occurrence of microplastics in commercial fish from a natural estuarine environment
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of commercial fish caught from a natural estuarine environment and found microplastics in a significant proportion of individuals, documenting both occurrence rates and particle characteristics.