Papers

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Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Frontiers in Marine Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Frontiers in Marine Science 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Microplastics in Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) from German Waters

The gastrointestinal tracts of 63 harbour and grey seals from German North Sea and Baltic Sea waters were examined for microplastics, with 540 suspected particles identified in intestinal samples and 228 in stomach samples, predominantly fibers and fragments. No significant correlations were found between microplastic presence and parasite infestation or inflammatory responses, though fragments showed evidence of retention in the gut.

2022 Animals 12 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Table 1_Assessing microplastic pollution in marine mammals: evidence from three cetacean species in the southeastern Black Sea.docx

This study investigated microplastic pollution in cetaceans from three Mediterranean marine mammal species, documenting MP abundance, size distribution, polymer types, and morphology to establish baseline data on MP accumulation in apex marine predators.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Occurrence in the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

A stranded Risso's dolphin in the northeastern Mediterranean was found to contain 454 microplastic particles in its gastrointestinal tract. Fibers and fragments were the most common forms, including polypropylene and polyethylene. This case study documents microplastic ingestion by a cetacean species and contributes to growing evidence of widespread plastic contamination in Mediterranean marine mammals.

2022 AQUATIC SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING 7 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 14 citations
Article Tier 2

A Quantitative Analysis of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Odontocetes in the Southeast Region of the United States

Researchers quantified microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tracts of toothed whales from the southeastern United States. The study found microplastics present in all examined specimens, indicating that these marine mammals are routinely ingesting microplastic particles from their ocean environment.

2024 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the intestinal tracts of East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri) from Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China

Researchers found microplastics in the intestinal tracts of East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri) from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China, providing direct evidence of microplastic ingestion in cetaceans from Asian marine waters.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the presence of microplastics in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Researchers analyzed three decades of intestinal content data from Western Mediterranean striped dolphins stranded over 30 years, finding microplastics in 90.5% of dolphins, making it one of the highest contamination rates reported in cetaceans.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 64 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Cetaceans Stranded on the Portuguese Coast

Researchers examined the intestines of 38 stranded cetaceans along the Portuguese coast and found microplastics in over 92% of the animals. Harbour porpoises had significantly more microplastics than common dolphins, likely due to differences in diet and feeding strategies. The study notes that while the quantities found were not expected to cause immediate harm, the potential for chemical bioaccumulation from plastic additives in cetacean tissues warrants further investigation.

2023 Animals 11 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Documentation of Microplastics in Tissues of Wild Coastal Animals

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in organs and tissues of fish, seabirds, and marine and terrestrial mammals from a polluted coastal area near Bergen, Norway. They found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and other organs of multiple species, with polymer types and concentrations varying across animals. The study provides important baseline data on microplastic accumulation in wild coastal species relevant to human food chains.

2021 Frontiers in Environmental Science 71 citations
Article Tier 2

The Assessment of the Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in Key Fish Species from the Bulgarian Aquatory of the Black Sea

Researchers found microplastics in the soft tissues of five commercially important Black Sea fish species collected off the Bulgarian coast, with polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer types. Pellets were the most common particle shape, found across all specimens regardless of species. The results indicate significant microplastic contamination in a major regional seafood source, raising concerns about the potential for plastics to move up the food chain and reach people who consume these fish.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The assessment of the bioaccumulation of microplastics in key fish species from the Bulgarian aquatory of the Black Sea

Researchers examined five commercially important fish species from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and found microplastics in all tissue types studied. The most common particles were polyethylene and PET pellets, with sizes ranging down to 25 micrometers, indicating widespread plastic pollution in this region that could affect both fish populations and the humans who eat them.

2024 BIORISK – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Risk Assessment 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating Microplastic Presence Amongst Grey Seals (Halichoerus Grypus) of the North Sea

Researchers analyzed fecal samples from grey seals in the North Sea and found 71 microplastic particles — mostly fibers and fragments — confirming that wild marine mammals in European waters are ingesting microplastics through their prey. Marine mammals at the top of the food chain can accumulate microplastics from the fish they eat.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Ingestion of microplastics by commercial fish species from the southern Black Sea coast

Three commercial fish species from the Turkish Black Sea coast -- European anchovy, whiting, and red mullet -- were examined for microplastic ingestion, with plastics found in all three species and fibers being the dominant type. The study adds to regional evidence that microplastic contamination is widespread in commercially harvested Black Sea fish.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of Microplastic Accumulation in Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) Caught in the Black Sea

Horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) caught from Turkish coastal waters were found to contain microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, with fibers and fragments the most common types. The study contributes to baseline data on microplastic contamination in commercially important Mediterranean fish species.

2022 Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Occurrence in Commercial Fish Species of the Black Sea

Researchers examined plastic ingestion in seven commercial fish species from the Black Sea and found plastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of 29% of all individuals tested. Fibres were the most common type of plastic found, accounting for nearly 69% of all particles, with 93% being microplastics smaller than 5 mm. The study identified polypropylene, polyester, and acrylic as the most prevalent polymer types, indicating widespread microplastic contamination in Black Sea commercial fisheries.

2021 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in commercially important seafood species, characterizing particle morphology and polymer composition across species. The study found microplastics in all species sampled, with differences in contamination levels linked to feeding ecology and habitat.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

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.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 135 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Open MIND
Article Tier 2

Exploring microplastic contamination in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis): Insights into plastic pollution in the southwestern tropical Atlantic

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) stranded along the southwestern tropical Atlantic coast by analyzing stomach contents. The study found that most individuals were contaminated with microplastics, with polyurethane, PET, and EVA being the most common polymers, underscoring the widespread nature of plastic pollution in marine food webs.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 14 citations