Galápagos and the plastic problem

Abstract

Plastic pollution (PP) is an ongoing, pervasive global problem that represents a risk to the Galápagos archipelago, despite it being one of the world's most pristine and well-protected regions. By working closely with citizen scientists, we aimed to quantify and map the magnitude and biological effects of PP. With macroplastic abundance ranging from 0.003 to 2.87 items/m2, our research indicates that all five sampled Galápagos bioregions are contaminated with PP along their coastlines. The distribution of this debris is not uniform, with macroplastics significantly higher on the windward shores. Based on the identification information found on the examined items, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most predominant type of plastic originating from both consumer and fisheries-based products deriving primarily from Perú, China, and Ecuador. The top three manufacturers were AjeCroup, Coca-Cola, and Tingy Holding Corporation. Through citizen science, we documented PP exposure in 52 species (20 endemic) in Galápagos terrestrial and marine environments, with exposure occurring in two ways: entanglement and ingestion. These included reptiles (8 species), birds (13 species), mammals (4 species), cartilaginous fish (7 species), bony fish (14 species), and invertebrates (6 species). The top five species with the greatest risk of serious harm due to entanglement (in decreasing order) were identified as green sea turtles, marine iguanas, whale sharks, spine-tail mobulas, and medium-ground finches. In contrast, Santa Cruz tortoises, green sea turtles, marine iguanas, black-striped salemas, and Galápagos sea lions were at the highest risk of harm due to the ingestion of plastics. Our research indicates that PP is a growing problem in the Galápagos archipelago and that additional work is necessary to mitigate its impact now and in the future.

Predictive modelling reveals Australian continental risk hotspots for marine debris interactions with key threatened species

“…Apart from these three studies the impact of debris on Australian sea lions is poorly understood, despite being an endangered species (EPBC Act 1999; IUCN Red List), with their limited distribution attributed to strong site fidelity. Despite there being a paucity of literature concerning marine mammal interactions with debris within our study site, similar species have recorded observations of negative interactions such as the New Zealand sea lion and Galapagos sea lion (McMahon et al, 1999;Muñoz-Pérez et al, 2023). The lack of information and peer-reviewed research on marine mammal debris interactions could be attributed to limited samples available for necropsies and difficulty in live sampling.…”

Endoscopy and rectal enema for fecal collection in wild sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata) in a field setting

“…Additional clinical application may include the use of obtaining fecal samples for more in‐depth analyses of dietary habits and ingestion of marine debris. With an increase in ocean plastics, the desire to examine marine debris contents ingested in sea turtles, as well as other species, has escalated (Muñoz‐Pérez et al, 2023). A report looking at loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ) from by‐catches in the Southwest Indian Ocean examined ingested marine debris by surgical approaches and defecation of material.…”

Conceptual framework for identifying polymers of concern

“…Washing of synthetic garments alone is estimated to have emitted 5.6 Mt of synthetic microfibers to the environment between 1950 and 2016, while emissions to terrestrial systems are growing rapidly (Gavigan et al, 2020;Geyer et al, 2022). As a result, today, plastics are found even in the world's most remote environments such as Antarctica and Galápagos islands (Barnes et al, 2010;Muñoz-Pérez et al, 2023).…”