Dolphins Are Exhaling Microplastics
New research highlights how extensive plastic pollution is—and how nonhuman species, including dolphins, are exposed......»»
River Forth"s whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals mapped by citizen scientists
A 10,000-strong Facebook group has helped Heriot-Watt scientists document the whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals that visit the Firth of Forth......»»
Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae
A critical component of the food web in the Arctic is at risk. According to a new study published in the journal Environmental Science and … The post Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae appeared first on BGR. A crit.....»»
Whale-watching guidelines don"t include boat noise. It"s time they did, say researchers
Imagine … eco-tourists enjoying views of undisturbed whales and dolphins, watching them doing what comes naturally......»»
A Critical Arctic Organism Is Now Infested With Microplastics
The algae Melosira arctica is the foundation of the food chain, and its contamination could have major consequences for ecosystems and the climate......»»
Arctic ice algae heavily contaminated with microplastics, reports new research
The alga Melosira arctica, which grows under Arctic sea ice, contains ten times as many microplastic particles as the surrounding seawater. This concentration at the base of the food web poses a threat to creatures that feed on the algae at the sea s.....»»
Q&A: Two ways researchers are studying marine microplastics
Tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean might seem innocuous on their own, but their growing presence is a frustrating issue facing marine ecosystems. The particles' small size makes them difficult to clean up, and it also allows them to easily burrow in.....»»
77% more microplastics found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE, research shows
At a first glance the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have a positive impact on the environment, with significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and transport-related noise, air and light pollution......»»
Study shows soil pollution in urban green spaces and natural areas is similar
An international study shows that soil in urban green spaces and natural areas share similar levels of multiple contaminants such as metals, pesticides, microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes around the world. Soil contamination is one of the.....»»
Holographic microscopy shows potential as a red tide warning system
Red tides, caused by Karenia brevis blooms, are a recurring problem in the coastal Gulf of Mexico. The organism, Karenia brevis, produces toxins that can cause fish kills, respiratory irritation in humans and cause death in sea turtles, dolphins, man.....»»
New research using fossils of whale ancestors reveals their path to becoming Earth"s largest mammals
Modern cetaceans—whales and dolphins—have one of the largest size ranges of any living animal group, ranging from as small as 1.5 meters long to as much as 30. However, a new study reveals this diversity came much later in their evolution than ex.....»»
Fishing line and plastic endangering young dolphins
A leading Perth dolphin researcher is urging fishers to be extra vigilant with the proper disposal of fishing lines and hooks after seeing several of the marine mammals in Cockburn Sound caught up in discarded line. Dr. Delphine Chabanne, from Murdoc.....»»
Scientists shed light on how macrophages interact with microplastics
A large portion of the nearly 200 million tons of single-use plastic produced globally ends up discarded as waste. The eventual breakdown of this plastic into microplastics—0.1–1000 µm-sized particles—is a cause for concern. Humans are exposed.....»»
Pulsing ultrasound waves could someday remove microplastics from waterways
Colorful particles of plastic drift along under the surface of most waterways, from headwater streams to the Arctic Ocean. These barely visible microplastics—less than 5 mm wide—are potentially harmful to aquatic animals and plants, as well as hu.....»»
Study finds plastic fibers stunt growth in mussels by more than a third—here"s why this is a concern
Plastic pollution poses a threat to marine wildlife. The plastic bags, bottles and straws that we see strewn across beaches have long been identified as a danger. But tiny fragments of plastic—called microplastics—that are less than 5mm in size a.....»»
Microplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species
Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows......»»
France reports 910 dolphins washed up on Atlantic coast
At least 910 dolphins have washed up on France's Atlantic coast since the start of the winter, an oceanographic institute reported Friday......»»
Drones gather new and useful data for marine research, but they can disturb whales and dolphins
Drones have changed the way researchers study whales and dolphins. While we were once confined to the decks of boats and observation platforms, glimpsing the backs of surfacing animals, we can now watch them from above. Gaining a bird's eye view of w.....»»
Microplastics Are Polluting the Ocean at a Shocking Rate
Some 11 billion pounds of plastic particles are blanketing the surface alone. But a new study points to hope—if countries act now......»»
Toothed whales catch food in the deep using vocal fry register
Dolphins and other toothed whales are large brained top predators that captivate our imagination; they are extremely social, they cooperate, and can hunt prey down to 2 km deep in complete darkness with echolocation......»»
Two endangered pink dolphins rescued from shallow Colombia river
Two pink river dolphins, a mother and her calf, were rescued from a Colombian river where the endangered mammals were trapped in shallow water, the navy said......»»