Microplastics found in every marine animal in UK study
- 5 years ago
UNITED KINGDOM — Microplastics have been found in the digestive tracts of every marine mammal surveyed in a new study of animals washed up on Britain's beaches, according to scientists.
According to the BBC, scientists from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, or PML, looked at 50 animals, including 10 species of dolphins, seals and whales.
According to the Guardian, researchers found that nylon made up more than 60 percent of the microplastics, coming from possible sources like fishing rope and nets, clothing microfibers and toothbrush bristles.
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, and polyester were also widely present in the marine animals studied.
According to the scientists, on average, 5.5 plastic particles were discovered in the guts of each animal.
According to the BBC, 84 percent of the microplastics found were synthetic fibers, while the remaining were fragments of food packaging and plastic bottles.
The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the BBC, scientists from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, or PML, looked at 50 animals, including 10 species of dolphins, seals and whales.
According to the Guardian, researchers found that nylon made up more than 60 percent of the microplastics, coming from possible sources like fishing rope and nets, clothing microfibers and toothbrush bristles.
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, and polyester were also widely present in the marine animals studied.
According to the scientists, on average, 5.5 plastic particles were discovered in the guts of each animal.
According to the BBC, 84 percent of the microplastics found were synthetic fibers, while the remaining were fragments of food packaging and plastic bottles.
The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.