The Big Picture: Microplastic pollution is a growing concern in marine ecosystems. This study reveals its presence in top predators like cetaceans, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of plastic pollution.
The Study: Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of seven individuals from three cetacean species in the southeastern Black Sea. They analyzed the abundance, size, type, and composition of microplastics found.
The Discovery: Microplastics were found in all examined cetaceans, with up to 139 particles per individual.
The Takeaway: The findings suggest that fishing gear and domestic wastewater are major sources of microplastics ingested by cetaceans. This underscores the urgent need for biodegradable fishing gear and improved wastewater management to protect marine life.