A study of 102 sea turtles by the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the United Kingdom working with the Greenpeace Research Laboratories has revealed that 100% of the turtles had plastic, microplastics and other synthetics in their digestive systems with some turtles’ bodies containing up to 500 plastics with an average of 150 pieces of plastic in each animal.
“From our work over the years we have found microplastic in nearly all the species of marine animals we have looked at; from tiny zooplankton at the base of the marine food web to fish larvae, dolphins and now turtles”
Penelope Lindeque, co-author
“This study provides more evidence that we all need to help reduce the amount of plastic waste released to our seas and maintain clean, healthy and productive oceans for future generations.”
With the production of throwaway plastic predicted to quadruple by 2050 how many more studies like this do we need for corporations and governments to take strong action for the sake of marine life, the world’s oceans, our health and our communities.
Lead author Dr Emily Duncan, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall. said
“The effect of these particles on turtles is unknown.”
“Their small size means they can pass through the gut without causing a blockage, as is frequently reported with larger plastic fragments.
“However, future work should focus on whether microplastics may be affecting aquatic organisms more subtly.
“For example, they may possibly carry contaminants, bacteria or viruses, or they may affect the turtle at a cellular or subcellular level. This requires further investigation.”
Professor Brendan Godley, senior author of the study, added: “It really is a great shame that many or even all of the world’s sea turtles have now ingested microplastics.
“At the moment, this is not the main threat to this species group but it is a clear sign that we need to act to better govern global waste.”
