1. Microplastics in the digestive tract of an endangered cetacean of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: The franciscana dolphin.
- Author
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Padula AD, Ronda AC, Rodríguez Pirani LS, Picone AL, Romano RM, Giardino GV, Seco Pon JP, Machado R, Gerpe M, Rodriguez D, and Denuncio P
- Subjects
- Animals, Atlantic Ocean, Female, Gastrointestinal Tract metabolism, Microplastics analysis, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Endangered Species, Dolphins
- Abstract
In this study, we investigated for the first time anthropogenic microparticles in the franciscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei, the most endangered cetacean of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. The intestinal content of the proximal and distal sections, and wall tissues of the proximal section of ten female dolphins collected during 2013-2023 were analyzed. All samples contained anthropogenic particles (%FO = 100). Fibers were the most abundant shape (99 %). Micro-Raman and micro-FTIR spectroscopies revealed the presence of polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, polyethylene, and semi-synthetic cotton polymers. Manufactured pigments such as reactive blue 238, Indigo 3600, and diarylide azo pigment (yellow 152) were also detected. We observed variations in the color and types of polymers present in the different sections of the intestine and within the wall tissue, suggesting a differential microplastic absorption. These findings confirm both the presence and absorption of microplastics in the intestines from franciscana dolphins., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2025
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