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Description of the Resource

Title
Eating Plastic: a preliminary evaluation of the impact on cetaceans of ingestion of plastic debris.
Title (original)
Eating Plastic: a preliminary evaluation of the impact on cetaceans of ingestion of plastic debris.
Description
This preliminary consideration of events recorded since 1997, confirms that plastics and other marine debris are at least occasionally found in the gastrointestinal tracts of cetaceans. Records include examples where the debris has caused morbidity and death and also examples where large quantities of material have been found that are likely to at least cause impairment to digestive processes. In some instances, debris may have been ingested as a result of the stranding process and, in others, it may have been ingested when feeding, and those species that are suction feeders may be most at risk. The significance of the threat from ingested plastics and other debris remains unclear for any population or species. However, concerns remain about the growing amounts of marine debris in the oceans, especially plastics, making this an issue deserving of further careful attention.
Authors
Mark Peter Simmonds
Publication year
2014
Resource type
Scientific publication
Language
English
Areas of knowledge
Toxicity and impact of meso and macro marine litter
Awareness
Number of links to resource
1

Links to resource (1)

Related Organisations (1)