Study Finds Microplastics Found in Dolphin Breath

A new study has discovered microplastics in the breath of dolphins, raising concerns about the health impacts of these airborne pollutants on marine mammals. Researchers from the U.S. collected exhaled air samples from bottlenose dolphins in two distinct environments: Sarasota Bay, Florida, and Barataria Bay, Louisiana. The findings, published in Plos One, mark the first time microplastics have been detected in dolphin breath.

These tiny plastic particles, which have been found in ecosystems worldwide, are now believed to be entering dolphins’ lungs when they come up for air. The scientists noted the prevalence of microplastics in every one of the 11 dolphins tested, further confirming that microplastics are not only present in water but also in the air. According to Leslie Hart, a co-author of the study and a public health expert at the College of Charleston, the fact that dolphins inhale larger volumes of air compared to humans might mean they are exposed to higher levels of airborne microplastics.

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic debris that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. These pollutants are present even in remote areas like Mount Everest, carried by wind and water. A significant portion of the particles found in the dolphin breath samples was polyester, a plastic commonly used in clothing. When clothes made from polyester are washed, especially in hot water, they shed tiny plastic fibers into the environment, which can eventually make their way into the air.

The researchers emphasized that this study is only the beginning of understanding how dolphins are impacted by microplastics. Although much research has been done on how microplastics affect human health, studies focusing on wildlife, particularly marine animals, are still in their early stages. “Microplastic inhalation in humans is a budding field, but there have been few studies in wildlife,” said Hart, adding that dolphins, with their larger lung capacities and deep breathing, may face a higher risk from these particles.

One particularly alarming aspect of the study was the finding that dolphins in Barataria Bay, a rural location, also had microplastics in their breath. This discovery suggests that microplastics can be transported through the air, making them nearly impossible to avoid, regardless of geographic location. The situation in Barataria Bay is even more concerning because the dolphins in this area already have compromised lung health due to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Hart mentioned that the presence of microplastics could potentially worsen their respiratory issues.

The research team used a carefully controlled method to collect their samples, placing petri dishes over the dolphins’ blowholes to catch the exhaled air. They also took air samples from the surrounding environment for comparison. While the study offers new insights into the potential threats posed by airborne microplastics, the researchers acknowledged that the sample size was small and the capture method may not be fully representative of the dolphin populations.

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