Stranded porpoises, dolphins and seals had average of 5.5
particles in their guts
Thu 31 Jan 2019 10.00 GMTLast modified on Thu 31 Jan
2019 18.55 GMT
Microplastics are being widely ingested by Britain’s marine
mammals, scientists say, with samples found in every animal examined in a
study.
The research on 50 stranded creatures including porpoises,
dolphins, grey seals and a pygmy sperm whale is the most comprehensive analysis
of microplastics in the digestive tracts of both wild cetaceans and seals.
“It’s shocking – but not surprising – that every animal had
ingested microplastics,” said Sarah Nelms, of the University of Exeter and
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), lead author of the research published in
the journal Scientific Reports.
The study found that nylon made up more than 60% of the
microplastics, with possible sources including fishing rope and nets, clothing
microfibres and toothbrush bristles. Polyethylene terephthalate (Pet) and
polyester were also widely present. As well as accidental consumption,
microplastics are ingested indirectly when predators consume contaminated prey
such as fish.
On average, 5.5 particles were found in the guts of each animal,
suggesting they pass through the digestive system, or are regurgitated. “The
low number of microplastics in their gut at any one time doesn’t necessarily
correlate to the chemical burden within their body because the exposure is
chronic and cumulative,” said Nelms. “It’s also not yet understood how
synthetic particles physically interact with the gut wall as they pass
through.”
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