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Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

Assessing microplastics contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs.

Lindsay F Curl¹, Samantha A Hurst¹, Christopher M Pomory¹

¹University of West Florida, United States of America.

The Science of the Total Environment

|December 17, 2023

Summary

Microplastics contaminate loggerhead sea turtle eggs, with fibers being the most common type found. This study highlights the widespread issue of microplastic pollution affecting vulnerable marine species.

Keywords:

Anthropogenic debris Caretta caretta Florida Gulf of Mexico Plastic pollution

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Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology

Background:

Sea turtles face significant threats from microplastic pollution, impacting numerous individuals and species.
Many sea turtle species are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, increasing concern over environmental contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify microplastic contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) eggs.
To investigate the presence and characteristics of microplastics in loggerhead eggs from northwest Florida.

Main Methods:

Collected 350 unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs from seven nesting sites in northwest Florida.
Analyzed eggs for microplastic presence, categorizing them by color, shape, size, and polymer type using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

Microplastics were detected in undeveloped loggerhead sea turtle eggs across all surveyed locations.
Predominant microplastics were blue/green fibers (10-300 μm length), with polyethylene and polystyrene identified as the primary polymer types.

Conclusions:

This study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs in northwest Florida.
Findings suggest potential maternal transfer or environmental exchange of microplastics, impacting loggerhead reproductive health and offering insights into broader marine pollution patterns.