What type of plastic do sea turtles in Korean waters mainly ingest? Quantity, shape, color, size, polymer composition, and original usage. (1st April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moon, Yelim; Shim, Won Joon; Han, Gi Myung; Jeong, Jongwook; Cho, Youna; Kim, Il-Hun; Kim, Min-Seop; Lee, Hae-Rim; Hong, Sang Hee
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 298(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-01
• Subjects: Plastic debris -- Ingestion -- Interspecies difference -- Origin -- Marine organism; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118849
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Globally, sea turtles are at high risk of ingesting plastic. However, research on plastic ingestion by sea turtles in East Asia is scant, and no quantitative or qualitative investigation has been conducted in Korean waters. This study examined the plastic ingestion of sea turtles stranded, floating, or incidentally captured in Korean waters between 2012 and 2018. The quantity, shape, color, size, polymer type, and original usage of plastic debris (>1 mm) ingested by sea turtles were analyzed after being sorted from the gastrointestinal tracts of 34 turtles (21 loggerheads ( Caretta caretta ), 9 green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ), 2 leatherbacks ( Dermochelys coriacea ), and 2 olive ridleys ( Lepidochelys olivacea )). The ingestion frequencies of greens, loggerheads, olive ridleys, and leatherbacks were 100%, 81%, 50%, and 50%, respectively. The mean amount of plastic ingested was 108 ± 253 mg/kg (38 ± 61 n/ind.). The ingested debris tended to be films and fibers (>80%), light in color (white and transparent; 65%), and light polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polypropylene [poly (ethylene:propylene)], expanded polystyrene; 93%). The original uses were identified for 187 pieces; single-use plastics (e.g., plastic bag and packaging) and fishing and aquaculture items (e.g., twine and net) were found to dominate. Green turtles (264 ± 433 mg/kg) ingested significantly higher amounts of plastic than loggerheads (72.8 ± 156 mg/kg). Green turtles ingested mostly fibers (51%), such as rope, twine, and net, while loggerheads ingested largely films (61%), such as plastic bags and packaging. Interspecies differences in quantities and shapes of ingested debris may be related to their distinct feeding habits and geographical range of movement. The present study demonstrates that sea turtles foraging in Korean waters are considerably affected by marine plastic debris, and indicates that proper waste management of single-use plastics and fishing gears is urgently needed to mitigate the damage that plastic debris causes to marine wildlife. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Sea turtles inhabiting Korean waters are significantly affected by plastic debris. Ingested plastics were mainly single-use and fishery items. Plastic ingestion frequency and quantity were highest in green turtles. Fibers and films were dominant in herbivore and carnivore turtles, respectively. Sea turtles are key indicator species for assessing marine plastic pollution.