“Microplastics Found in Dolphin Breath: What This Means for Marine Life”

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery by finding microplastics in the breath of dolphins for the first time, raising concerns about the potential impact on these marine mammals. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, collected samples of air released by bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, and Barataria Bay, Louisiana in May and June of 2023.

The team took extra precautions to ensure the samples were not contaminated by ocean water before collecting them from the dolphin blowholes. They found suspected microplastics in all exhalation samples, with a total of 54 unique particles across all samples. The most common microplastic detected was polyethylene terephthalate (PET), followed by polyester, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

Leslie Hart, co-author of the study and associate professor of public health at the College of Charleston, expressed concern over the potential impact of microplastics on dolphins’ lungs. Dolphins have a large lung capacity and take deep breaths, which may expose them to higher doses of microplastics compared to humans.

Previous studies have shown that microplastic exposure can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in rodents, potentially causing pulmonary fibrosis. This condition could make lung function more challenging for dolphins, especially during diving when they rely on lung compression and collapse.

The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to determine the health risks of microplastic exposure through inhalation. The accumulation of inhaled microplastics could have serious implications for the respiratory health of dolphins and other marine species.

This study adds to growing concerns about the impact of microplastics on wildlife, with previous research showing contamination in food webs around the Galápagos National Park and in freshwater bodies that flow into the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The findings highlight the urgent need for action to address the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution in our oceans and protect marine ecosystems.