Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2012-11, Vol.64 (11), p.2374-2379
• Main Authors: Fossi, Maria Cristina, Panti, Cristina, Guerranti, Cristiana, Coppola, Daniele, Giannetti, Matteo, Marsili, Letizia, Minutoli, Roberta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Balaenoptera physalus; blubber; case studies; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Fin Whale; ingestion; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Microplastic particles; Mysticetes; Neuston; particles; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Plankton - chemistry; Plastics - analysis; sampling; Surface plankton; Water Pollutants - analysis; water pollution; Water Pollution - statistics & numerical data; whales
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.08.013

► Assessment of the impact of microplastics and plastic additives in baleen whales. ► High microplastics abundance detected in superficial plankton in Pelagos Sanctuary. ► The relevant phthalates levels in plankton and stranded fin whales raise concern. ► Phthalates as tracer of plastic ingestion in filter-feeding species. ► Large filter-feeder species as sentinels for Descriptor 10 of EU MSFD. Baleen whales are potentially exposed to micro-litter ingestion as a result of their filter-feeding activity. However, the impacts of microplastics on baleen whales are largely unknown. In this case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), we explore the toxicological effects of microplastics on mysticetes. The study included the following three steps: (1) the collection/count of microplastics in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea), (2) the detection of phthalates in surface neustonic/planktonic samples, and (3) the detection of phthalates in stranded fin whales. A total of 56% of the surface neustonic/planktonic samples contained microplastic particles. The highest abundance of microplastics (9.63items/m3) was found in the Portofino MPA (Ligurian Sea). High concentrations of phthalates (DEHP and MEHP) were detected in the neustonic/planktonic samples. The concentrations of MEHP found in the blubber of stranded fin whales suggested that phthalates could serve as a tracer of the intake of microplastics. The results of this study represent the first warning of this emerging threat to baleen whales.