Cetaceans and microplastics: First report of microplastic ingestion by a coastal delphinid, Sousa chinensis

Abstract

In the Anthropocene, marine microplastic debris has been rapidly increasing and interacting with wildlife. As apex predators, cetaceans have been proven to be ideal sentinel species to indicate ecosystem changes and umbrella and flagship species to help develop environmental management strategies. Here, we report the presence of microplastics in the intestines of Sousa chinensis for the first time, which highlights the potential impacts of microplastic pollution in coastal environments. Microplastics were detected in the intestinal contents of both adult and calf individuals, indicating that consumption of prey and unintentional ingestion are the potential pathways for microplastic accumulation in Sousa chinensis. The properties of the microplastics indicated that fibers, white and blue items, 1–5 mm items, and polyester were the predominant shapes, colors, sizes and plastic materials, respectively. More microplastics were detected in the foreguts and midguts than in the hindguts, which may be correlated with the specific intestinal structure of Sousa. This study indicates that coastal delphinids might suffer from microplastic pollution, even young calves. The sample size in this study is limited, whereas it's a starting point for assessing microplastics in the endangered coastal delphinid, Sousa. We suggest that assessments of the risks of microplastic consumption by cetaceans and the presence of microplastics in their habitats should be conducted at a global scale. Moreover, further works should be done to look for evidence of adverse effects of microplastics pollution on cetaceans.