Abstract

Large amounts of micro plastic particles are consumed by marine mammals, most likely through direct consumption from sediment or seawater, as well as trophic transfer (i.e., through prey that has consumed plastic). Micro plastics have been discovered in the faeces and stomachs of pinnipeds and cetaceans as well as in their digestive tracts. Although the translocation of ingested micro plastics in various aquatic species’ organs has been reported, marine mammals have not been the subject of this investigation. The lipid-rich, highly specialized tissues of marine mammals may make them more vulnerable to lipophilic micro plastics. Here, we present the presence of micro plastics in four different tissues (the acoustic fat pad, blubber, lung, and melon) from twelve different marine mammal species, including masticates, odontometers, and others. The sizes, mass concentrations, and particle counts range from 24.4 μm to 1387 μm, 0.59 μg/g to 25.20 μg/g, and 0.04 to 0.39 particles/g, respectively.