All 11 dolphins in the study had at least one type of microplastic present in their breath samples.
By 2024, microplastics had spread widely, from human brains, reproductive organs, and placentas to ocean ecosystems. However, a recent study discovered microplastics in the breath of wild dolphins living in natural environments in the United States, providing clear evidence that this type of pollution has deeply penetrated their habitats. This research not only clarifies the impact of microplastics on dolphins but also raises a warning about the potential threat to the health of both animals and humans.
A concerning discovery has been announced by scientists: for the first time, microplastics have been found in the breath of wild dolphins, raising serious concerns about the extent of plastic pollution in the natural environment.
Microplastics Research in Dolphin Breath
In the study, scientists monitored bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) living in two main areas: the urban river mouth region in Sarasota Bay, Florida, and the more rural Barataria Bay area in Louisiana. The research team collected breath samples from 11 dolphins during routine health assessments. To do this, they placed a petri dish or spirometer (a device measuring lung function) near the dolphin’s blowhole to collect exhaled air samples.
“We held a petri dish or custom spirometer right over the dolphin’s blowhole to collect their breath samples during short assessment periods,” said Miranda Dziobak, a research member from the College of Charleston. Once collected, the samples were analyzed under a microscope to identify microplastic particles based on color characteristics, surface texture, and shape. Simultaneously, with the assistance of scientists at Virginia Tech, Raman spectroscopy technology was also used to confirm whether these particles were plastic.
Each dolphin breath sample contained at least one microplastic particle, with polyester being the most commonly detected type of plastic.
Researchers from the United States collected breath samples from 11 dolphins off the coast of Louisiana and Florida, and microscopic observations revealed that each sample contained at least one microplastic particle, with polyester being the most commonly identified plastic. Polyester, a type of plastic often used in clothing production, has now appeared in the respiratory systems of marine animals, indicating that not only aquatic organisms but also those living at the boundary between sea and air cannot escape this pollution.
Microplastics in Breath: Shocking Results
The analysis results showed that all 11 dolphins had at least one microplastic particle in their breath. This means that each dolphin had to be exposed to this type of pollutant. Through further research, the team identified that the types of microplastics found were primarily fibers and plastic fragments, with the predominant plastics being polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE)—plastics commonly used in textile and household product manufacturing, often found in wastewater.
From these results, the research team questioned whether the dolphins’ breathing process was a primary pathway for exposure to microplastics. Dziobak stated: “We have known that inhaling microplastics is a primary exposure pathway for humans. This raises the hypothesis that inhaling microplastics could also be a dangerous exposure route for dolphins. Through breath samples, we have observed differences between the types of particles that dolphins ingest and those that they inhale.”
Microplastic particles can have significant consequences for marine organisms and ecosystems.
Microplastics, though small, can have far-reaching consequences for marine organisms and ecosystems. They can move through the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of larger animals, including humans when we consume seafood. The presence of microplastics in the breath of dolphins also raises questions about the long-term effects on their health, as it is unclear whether dolphins’ lungs are affected by the absorption of these plastic particles.
Potential Health Risks for Dolphins
The question of the impact of microplastics on dolphin health remains unanswered. However, studies on humans have shown that inhaling microplastics can cause pneumonia and other respiratory issues. The similar microplastic particles in the breath of dolphins could lead to a higher risk of lung problems in these animals. Investigating the impact of microplastics on dolphins is essential to better understand the long-term consequences of this pollutant on marine life.
Microplastics have infiltrated various ecosystems.
This finding is not only a warning about the state of marine pollution but also a testament to the necessity of implementing more serious and effective environmental protection measures.
The research on microplastics in the breath of wild dolphins has provided further evidence of the widespread presence of microplastics and their infiltration into various ecosystems. Scientists hope this discovery will remind the community of the presence of microplastics in daily life and encourage the reduction of plastic use. This is not only a solution to protect the health of humans but also to safeguard precious marine species such as dolphins.
The detailed report on the study has been published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE, a valuable resource for those interested in conservation and environmental issues.
