Microplastics detected in breath of wild dolphins for first time: Warning of widespread plastic pollution!

All 11 dolphins in the study had at least one type of microplastic present in their breath samples.

By 2024, microplastics have spread everywhere, from human brains, to genitals, to placentas, to ocean ecosystems. However, a new study has found microplastics in the breath of wild dolphins living in the US, clear evidence that this pollutant has penetrated deep into their habitats. This study not only sheds light on the impact of microplastics on dolphins, but also sends a warning about the potential threat to the health of both animals and humans.

An alarming discovery has been announced by scientists: for the first time, microplastics have been found in the breath of wild dolphins, raising deep concerns about the widespread levels of plastic pollution in the natural environment.

Study of microplastics in dolphin breath

In the study, the researchers monitored wild bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) living in two main areas: the urban estuary of Sarasota Bay, Florida, and the more rural environment of Barataria Bay, Louisiana. The team collected breath samples from 11 dolphins during routine health assessments. To do this, they placed a petri dish or spirometer (a device that measures lung function) near the dolphins' blowholes to collect exhaled air samples.

'We held a petri dish or custom spirometer right above the dolphins' blowholes to collect breath samples during short assessment sessions ,' said Miranda Dziobak, a research fellow at the College of Charleston. Once collected, the samples were analyzed under a microscope for microplastics based on their color, surface texture, and shape. Raman spectroscopy was also used, with the help of scientists at Virginia Tech, to confirm whether the particles were plastic.

Each dolphin breath sample contained at least one microplastic particle, with polyester being the most common type of plastic detected.

Researchers from the United States collected breath samples from 11 dolphins off the coast of Louisiana and Florida, and microscopic examination showed that each sample contained at least one microplastic particle, with polyester being the most common type of plastic detected. Polyester, a plastic commonly used in clothing, has now been found in the respiratory systems of marine animals, suggesting that this pollution is not just limited to aquatic life, but also to those living at the interface between sea and air.

Microplastics in Breath: Shocking Results

The analysis showed that all 11 dolphins had at least one microplastic particle in their breath, meaning that each dolphin was exposed to this pollutant. Through further investigation, the team determined that the types of microplastics found were mainly plastic fibers and fragments, with the most common plastic components being polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) - plastics commonly used in textiles and household products, and commonly found in wastewater.

The results raised the question of whether inhalation was the main route of exposure for dolphins to microplastics. 'We already knew that inhalation of microplastics is a major route of exposure for humans,' Dziobak said. 'This raised the hypothesis that inhalation of microplastics could also be a dangerous route of exposure for dolphins. We observed differences in the types of particles that dolphins ingested and those that they inhaled using breath samples.'

Microplastics have the potential to cause major consequences for marine life and ecosystems.

Microplastics, though tiny, have the potential to have major consequences for marine life and ecosystems. They can move through the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of larger animals, including humans when we consume seafood. The presence of microplastics in dolphin breath also raises questions about the long-term health effects, as it is unclear whether dolphins' lungs are affected by ingesting these plastic particles.

Potential health risks to dolphins

The health effects of microplastics on dolphins remain an open question. However, studies in humans have shown that inhaling microplastics can cause pneumonia and other respiratory problems. Similar microplastics in dolphin breath may lead to increased risk of lung problems in the animals. Research into the effects of microplastics on dolphins is needed to better understand the long-term consequences of this pollutant on marine life.

Microplastics have entered various ecosystems.

This discovery is not only a warning about marine pollution but also a demonstration of the need to implement environmental protection measures more seriously and effectively.

The study of microplastics in the breath of wild dolphins has provided further evidence of the prevalence of microplastics and their penetration into various ecosystems. Scientists hope that this discovery will remind the community of the presence of microplastics in daily life and encourage the reduction of plastic use. This is not only a solution to protect human health but also to protect precious marine species such as dolphins.

A detailed report of the research was published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE , a valuable resource for anyone interested in conservation and environmental issues.