open access

https://doi.org/10.14943/2115.90628

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/90628

Analysis of microplastics in the intestines of stranded cetaceans

英語

stranding

2023-09-29

Bioflux Publishing House

AACL Bioflux

16(5)

2746-2756

Microplastics derived from anthropogenic pollution have become a major issue today, as available data have shown they are present in all terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These pollutants originate from multiple sources, from trash dumped in rivers and lakes and travelling to the ocean, to fishing tools (such as nets, ropes, and baskets) abandoned at sea as well as various chemicals released in the water. As apex predators, cetaceans are critical in regulating the food web and maintaining ecosystem balance. They consume lower trophic-level organisms that have ingested microplastics, and, at present, the studies conducted on microplastics in cetaceans are insufficient. Further research on the prevalence and effects of microplastics in these animals is needed to support conservation efforts and shed light on the larger issue of plastic pollution in the oceans. Determining the concentration of microplastics in cetaceans can inform on the level of microplastic contamination in the entire food web, including seafood that humans consume. This research aimed to assess the presence and accumulation of microplastics in cetaceans to understand better their potential impacts on both these species and the marine environment. Microplastics were detected in 13 out of 17 samples of cetacean intestines; most of them were fibres and varied in length, size, and colour. Raman spectroscopy analysis showed that the microplastics were made of the polymer Nylon 6,6. The results of this study will contribute to the current knowledge of the impact of microplastics on marine life and ecosystems and can aid in developing strategies to mitigate and manage this urgent environmental issue.

学術雑誌論文

Version of Record

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

1844-8143

1844-9166