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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Evaluating the presence of microplastics in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded in the Western Mediterranean Sea
ClearFirst 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 the stomach contents of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) stranded on the Galician coasts (NW Spain, 2005–2010)
Researchers found microplastics in the stomach contents of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded on Galician coasts between 2005 and 2010, providing the first record of microplastic presence in the digestive tracts of marine mammals from this region.
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.
Plastic ingestion by two cetacean groups: Ziphiidae and Delphinidae
Researchers combined field data and historical records on plastic ingestion across 623 stranded cetaceans globally, finding that beaked whales accumulate more macro-, meso-, and microplastics than striped dolphins — likely due to deep-diving feeding behavior — with the highest concentrations in the Western Pacific and Eastern Spain respectively.
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 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.
Incidence of marine debris in cetaceans stranded and bycaught in Ireland: Recent findings and a review of historical knowledge
This study examined stranded and bycaught cetaceans in Ireland and found plastic debris — including microplastics — in a substantial portion of the animals, with ingestion increasing over the sampling period. The findings highlight that marine mammals in Atlantic waters face growing exposure to plastic pollution.
Concentrations of bisphenols and phthalate esters in the muscle of Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Researchers measured concentrations of bisphenols and phthalates — plastic-associated chemicals that disrupt hormones — in the muscle tissue of 30 Mediterranean striped dolphins stranded over nearly three decades. The study found multiple compounds present in nearly all animals, with some shifting in concentration over time, reflecting changes in industrial plastic production and use.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Predicted microplastic uptake through trophic transfer by the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Researchers estimated daily microplastic ingestion via trophic transfer for two dolphin species in the Mediterranean Sea and Northeast Atlantic, calculating that common dolphins ingest up to 164 microplastics per day in the Mediterranean. The estimates highlight how plastic pollution accumulates through marine food webs and reaches apex predators.
Compartment-wise distribution of microplastics from Indus River dolphins.
Researchers analysed the compartment-wise distribution of microplastics across anatomical regions of Indus River dolphins (Platanista minor), finding MPs throughout the complete gastrointestinal tract of five stranded individuals with an average of 286.4 MPs per individual. The distribution data illuminate the pathways of MP accumulation via prey consumption and incidental ingestion in this endangered species.
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.
First evidence of microplastic inhalation among free-ranging small cetaceans
For the first time, researchers documented microplastic inhalation in wild dolphins by collecting breath samples from animals in Florida and Louisiana. Every dolphin tested had at least one microplastic particle in their exhaled breath. This finding is significant because if marine mammals are inhaling microplastics from ocean air, humans living and working near coastlines are likely exposed to similar airborne microplastic contamination.
Captive dolphins face higher levels of microplastic pollution than wild individuals
Researchers developed a reliable multi-tissue framework for extracting microplastics from cetaceans and applied it to compare contamination levels in wild and captive pantropical spotted dolphins. They found that captive dolphins had higher levels of microplastic contamination than their wild counterparts, with high detection rates of 80-100% across various tissues. The findings suggest that captive marine environments may expose dolphins to greater microplastic pollution than open ocean habitats.
Evaluating the Presence of Marine Litter in Cetaceans Stranded in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean Sea)
Researchers performed necropsies on cetaceans stranded in the Balearic Islands of the western Mediterranean Sea, documenting for the first time the presence, types, and quantities of ingested and entangled plastic marine litter, contributing evidence on plastic debris impacts to cetacean populations in this region.
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis identifies microplastics in stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from New Zealand waters
Researchers found microplastics in all 15 stranded common dolphins examined from New Zealand, averaging 7.8 pieces per stomach, with polyethylene terephthalate fibers and polypropylene fragments as the dominant polymer types and no correlation between MP load and biological parameters.
Mercury and cadmium in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Southern Tyrrhenian and Western Ionian coasts
Mercury and cadmium were found at elevated levels in striped dolphins stranded along the Italian coast, with liver showing the highest concentrations. The findings highlight ongoing heavy metal contamination in the Mediterranean Sea and its accumulation in top marine predators, raising concerns for marine ecosystem and food chain health.
Plastic, It’s What’s for Dinner: A Preliminary Comparison of Ingested Particles in Bottlenose Dolphins and Their Prey
Researchers compared the types of microplastics found in the stomachs of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, with those found in their prey fish. They found that 97% of prey fish contained suspected microplastics, primarily fibers in the gastrointestinal tract, but the particle types did not fully match those found in dolphin samples. The study suggests that contaminated prey may be one pathway for dolphin microplastic exposure, though additional sources likely contribute.