Evaluating exposure of northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus, to microplastic pollution through fecal analysis

Mary J Donohue; Julie Masura; Thomas Gelatt; Rolf Ream; Jason D Baker; Kayleigh Faulhaber; Darren T Lerner

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.036

Evaluating exposure of northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus, to microplastic pollution through fecal analysis

Mar Pollut Bull. 2019 Jan:138:213-221. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.036. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Authors

Mary J Donohue¹, Julie Masura², Thomas Gelatt³, Rolf Ream³, Jason D Baker⁴, Kayleigh Faulhaber², Darren T Lerner⁵

Affiliations

¹ University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2525 Correa Road, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics 238, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; University of Hawai'i Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2540 Dole St., Holmes Hall 283, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. Electronic address: donohuem@hawaii.edu.
² Center for Urban Waters, University of Washington, Tacoma, 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402, USA.
³ Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center/NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E. F/AKC3, Seattle, WA 98115-6349, USA.
⁴ Protected Species Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NOAA IRC, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA.
⁵ University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2525 Correa Road, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics 238, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; University of Hawai'i Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2540 Dole St., Holmes Hall 283, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.

PMID: 30660265
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.036

Abstract

Environmental microplastics are widely documented in marine life and bioaccumulation may present risks to marine predators. Investigations of microplastics in marine mammals are increasing, though none have examined animals routinely consumed by humans. Here, we investigate microplastic exposure in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), a species consumed by humans, using fecal material. We examined 44 feces (scat) at sites encompassing the seals' eastern Pacific range. Multiple contamination control measures were implemented, including field and laboratory controls. Fragments were the most common microplastic recovered, in 55% (24/44) of scat and no controls (range 1 to 86 fragments/scat, mean 16.6, sd 19.1). Microplastic fibers were recovered from 41% of scats (18/44), though some controls contained fibers confounding fiber results. Fecal analysis documented northern fur seal exposure to microplastics throughout their eastern Pacific range.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Marine debris; Microplastics; Northern fur seal; Pacific Ocean; Trophic transfer.

MeSH terms

Animals
Dietary Exposure / analysis*
Feces / chemistry*
Fur Seals*
Plastics / analysis*
United States
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical