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Ingestion of microplastics by Hypanus guttatus stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian Amazon Coast).

Authors :
Pegado T
Brabo L
Schmid K
Sarti F
Gava TT
Nunes J
Chelazzi D
Cincinelli A
Giarrizzo T
Source :
Marine pollution bulletin [Mar Pollut Bull] 2021 Jan; Vol. 162, pp. 111799. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Nov 09.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

The present study documents, for the first time, the ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by Longnose stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean. We examined 23 specimens of Hypanus guttatus from the Brazilian Amazon coast and found microplastic particles in the stomach contents of almost a third of the individuals. Fibers were the most frequent item (82%), blue was the most frequent color (47%) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) was the most frequent polymer recorded (35%), as identified by 2D imaging - Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The ingestion of microplastics by Longnose stingray has not been previously recorded. The findings of the present study thus provide an important baseline for future studies of microplastic ingestion by dasyatid rays and other batoid species in the Atlantic Ocean, and contribute to the broader understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of the growing problem of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems and organisms.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1879-3363
Volume :
162
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Marine pollution bulletin
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33183749
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111799