Research indicates that bubble bursts generated by wave energy can release approximately 100,000 metric tons of microplastics into the atmosphere annually. Marine mammals such as dolphins, which breathe at the water’s surface, could be highly susceptible to this exposure.
While there is generally more plastic present in areas with larger human populations, the same correlation does not always hold true for airborne microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are not confined to densely populated areas and can also contaminate less developed regions.
The research team discovered microplastics present in the breath of dolphins residing in both urban and rural estuaries. However, it remains unclear whether there are significant differences in the types or quantities of plastic particles between these habitats.
Breath samples for the study were collected from wild bottlenose dolphins during permitted catch-and-release health assessments. These assessments were conducted in collaboration with organizations including the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, National Marine Mammal Foundation, and Fundación Oceanogràfic.
During the assessments, researchers collected exhaled breath samples using a petri dish or a specially designed spirometer held above the dolphins’ blowholes. In a colleague’s laboratory, a microscope was used to identify suspected plastic particles based on their appearance, such as smooth surfaces, bright colors, or fibrous shapes.
To verify the nature of these particles, which can melt when heated, a soldering needle was used. Further confirmation was achieved through Raman spectroscopy, a method employed by a research colleague, which uses a laser to generate a chemical fingerprint of the material.
The study emphasizes the widespread nature of plastic pollution and the exposure of marine life, like dolphins, to these pollutants. Although the effects of plastic inhalation on dolphins’ lungs are not yet fully understood, efforts to reduce plastic use and prevent further ocean pollution are encouraged as measures to address the issue of microplastic contamination.
