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    Do microplastics accumulate in penguin internal organs? Evidence from Svenner island, Antarctica

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    Date
    2024
    Author
    Bhattacharjee, Shrayan
    Rathore, Chayanika
    Naik, Akshata
    Saha, M.
    Tudu, P.
    Dastidar, P.G.
    Bhattacharyya, Subarna
    deBoer, J.
    Chaudhuri, Punarbasu
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    Abstract
    The prevalence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in natural environments presents a formidable global environmental threat MPs can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica, including glaciers. Despite their widespread distribution, studies on MP accumulation in apex predators inhabiting Polar Regions remain limited. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination, for the first time, of MP bioaccumulation in various organs and tissue of Ad lie penguins. This investigation comprehends the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), scat, internal organ (lung, trachea, spleen, and liver) and tissue (muscle) samples collected from Svenner Island, Antarctica during the 39th Indian expedition to Antarctica in 2019-2020. Our analyses revealed the presence of 34 MPs across the GIT, scat, lung, and trachea samples, with no MPs detected in muscle, spleen, or liver tissues. Blue-colored microfibers (>50 %) and MPs smaller than 1 mm (38 %) in size were prominently observed. Polymer characterization utilizing ?-FTIR spectroscopy identified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (~63 %) as the predominant polymer type. The accumulation of MP fibers in the gastrointestinal tract and scat of Ad lie penguins may originate from marine ambient media and prey organisms. Furthermore, the presence of LDPE fibers in the trachea and lungs likely occurred through inhalation and subsequent deposition of MPs originating from both local and long-range airborne sources. The identification of fibers ranging between 20 and 100 ?m within the trachea suggests a plausible chance of cellular deposition of MPs. Overall our findings provide valuable insights into the organ-specific accumulation of MPs in apex predators. Ad lie penguins emerge as promising environmental bio-monitoring species, offering insights into the potential trophic transfer of MPs within frigid environments.
    URI
    https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2024.175361
    http://drs.nio.res.in/drs/handle/2264/9373
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