Leatherback turtles: The menace of plastic

Mrosovsky, N.; Ryan, Geraldine D.; James, Michael C.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.10.018

Cited by 153 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…All sea turtles species are prone to the ingestion of plastic, which may occur accidentally, when these residues are confused with their natural foods such as jellyfish, or when they are ingested with food (Mrosovsky et al, 2009;Schuyler et al, 2014). In previous studies, Green Turtles were the main species ingesting plastic (Bugoni et al, 2001;Tourinho et al, 2010;Guebert-Bartholo et al, 2011), but in this study, proportionally, the plastic ingestion incidence was higher in Hawksbills turtles.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

“…Nonetheless, our most important finding in terms of conservation involves the lethal effects of plastic ingestion observed in stranded sea turtles. Previous studies have reported a low occurrence of sea turtle deaths related to plastic ingestion (Plotkin et al, 1993;Mrosovsky et al, 2009;Guebert-Bartholo et al, 2011), with some authors assuming that death caused by plastic blockage of the intestine is only occasional (Tomás et al, 2002;Mrosovsky et al, 2009). Here we report a relatively large number of sea turtles deaths caused by plastic ingestion (Tab.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plastic ingestion by sea turtles in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil

Poli

Mesquita

Saska

et al. 2015

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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ABSTRACT. Currently, plastics are recognized as a major pollutant of the marine environment, representing a serious threat to ocean wildlife. Here, we examined the occurrence and effects of plastic ingestion by sea turtles found stranded along the coast of Paraíba State, Brazil from August 2009 to July 2010. Ninety-eight digestive tracts were examined, with plastic found in 20 (20.4%). Sixty five percent (n = 13) of turtles with plastic in the digestive tract were green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) were hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), and 10% (n = 2) were olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). More plastic was found in the intestine (85%) than in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. We observed complete blockage of the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of plastic in 13 of the 20 turtles that had ingested plastic. No correlation was found between the curved carapace length (CCL) and the number or mass of the plastic ingested items. Significant differences were found between the intake of hard and soft plastic and the ingestion of white/transparent and colored plastic, with soft and white/transparent plastics being more commonly ingested. This study reveals the serious problem of plastic pollution to sea turtles at the area. KEYWORDS. Marine debris ingestion, gastrointestinal blockage, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea.RESUMO. Ingestão de plástico por tartarugas marinhas no estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Atualmente, os plásticos são reconhecidos como um dos principais poluentes do ambiente marinho, representando uma séria ameaça para a vida marinha. Neste trabalho, nós examinamos a ocorrência e os efeitos da ingestão de plástico por tartarugas marinhas encontradas encalhadas ao longo da costa do estado da Paraíba, Brasil, de agosto de 2009 a julho de 2010. Noventa e oito tratos gastrointestinais foram examinados e plásticos foram encontrados em 20 (20,4%). Sessenta e cinco por cento (n = 13) das tartarugas com plástico no trato gastrointestinal eram da espécie verde (Chelonia mydas), 25% (n = 5) eram da espécie pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) e 10% (n = 2) eram da espécie oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea). Foi encontrado mais plástico no intestino (85%) do que em outras partes do trato gastrointestinal. Observou-se o completo bloqueio do trato gastrointestinal, devido à presença de plástico, em 13 das 20 tartarugas que ingeriram plástico. Não foi encontrada correlação entre o comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça (CCC) e o número ou massa dos itens plásticos ingeridos. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre a ingestão de plástico rígido e flexível e entre a ingestão de plástico branco/ transparente e colorido, com os flexíveis e brancos/transparentes sendo ingeridos com mais frequência. Este estudo revelou o grave problema da poluição por resíduos plásticos para as tartarugas marinhas nesta área. PALAVRAS-CHAVE. Ingestão de lixo marinho, bloqueio gastrointestinal Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic ingestion by sea turtles in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil

Poli

Mesquita

Saska

et al. 2015

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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show abstract

“…The stomach contents of leatherback sea turtles revealed that a substantial percentage (33.8%; 138 of 408 cases examined) contained some form of plastic debris (Mrosovsky et al 2009). Plastic blocking the gut to an extent that could have caused death was evident in 8.7% of all leatherbacks that ingested plastic (Mrosovsky et al 2009).…”

Section: Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Saga and Setback: Novel Analyses of Cumulative Hatchlings Released and Time-Lagged Annual Nests in Tamaulipas, Mexico

Caillouet¹,

Gallaway

Putman

2016

Chelonian Conservation and Biology

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“…Macroplastic items that have been ingested by biota are usually identified according to their appearance in digestive tracts following investigation of dead carcasses, regurgitation or faecal pellets. (Mrosovsky et al, 2009;van Franeker et al, 2011;Baulch & Perry, 2014;Nelms et al, 2017) while extraction of microplastics ingested by biota can be achieved through numerous different methods. Once organisms have been collected, the target tissues need to be extracted.…”

Section: Extracting Plastics From Biotamentioning

confidence: 99%