Plastics found in sea-bed sharks

Date:
July 22, 2020
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Microplastics have been found in the guts of sharks that live near
the seabed off the UK coast.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Microplastics have been found in the guts of sharks that live near the
seabed off the UK coast.


========================================================================== University of Exeter scientists studied four species of demersal (seabed- dwelling) shark.

Of the 46 sharks examined, 67% contained microplastics and other
human-made fibres.

A total of 379 particles were found and -- though the impact on the
sharks' health is unknown -- the researchers say it highlights the
"pervasive nature of plastic pollution." "Our study presents the first evidence of microplastics and anthropogenic fibre contaminants in a range
of native UK demersal shark species," said lead author Kristian Parton,
of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter's Penryn Campus
in Cornwall.

Commenting on the possible sources of the particles, he added: "We were surprised to find not only microplastics but also particles such as
synthetic cellulose, which is most commonly found in textiles (including disposable hygiene items like facemasks) and clothing.



========================================================================== "When clothes are washed, or items are discarded as litter, tiny fibres
are released and these often flow into water sources and out to sea.

"Once in the sea, microfibres can either float or sink to the bottom,
which is where these sharks live.

"The fibres could then be ingested via the sharks' food, which is mostly crustaceans, or directly through the sediment on the seabed.

"In terms of the other types of microplastics we found, many of these
may have come from fishing lines or nets." The research team, which
included scientists from Greenpeace Research Laboratories, examined the stomachs and digestive tracts of four species: small-spotted catshark,
starry smooth-hound, spiny dogfish and bull huss.



========================================================================== These species can be found at varying depths from 5-900m, but usually
live and feed near the sea floor.

Though the study is based on a modest sample size, the findings suggest
larger sharks contained more particles. No differences were found based
on sex or species.

The study was conducted in Cornwall, UK, using sharks caught as "bycatch"
(by accident) in a demersal hake fishery, fishing in and around the
North-East Atlantic and Celtic Sea.

Study co-author Professor Tamara Galloway, of Exeter's Global Systems Institute, said: "We were not expecting to find microfibres from textiles
in so many of our native shark species.

"Our study highlights how important it is to think before we throw things away." Dr Laura Foster, Head of Clean Seas at the Marine Conservation
Society, added: "The new research from into these iconic shark species
around the UK shows high levels of microplastic ingestion, with 95%
of the contaminants found being fibrous."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kristian J. Parton, Brendan J. Godley, David Santillo, Muhammad
Tausif,
Lucy C. M. Omeyer, Tamara S. Galloway. Investigating
the presence of microplastics in demersal sharks of the
North-East Atlantic. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI:
10.1038/s41598-020-68680-1 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200722083807.htm

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