Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6359202 | Marine Pollution Bulletin | 2014 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Ingestion of anthropogenic debris represents an important threat to marine turtle populations. Information has been limited to inventories of debris ingested and its consequences, but why ingestion occurs and the conditions that enable it are less understood. Here we report on the occurrence of plastic ingestion in young green turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting the RÃo de la Plata (SW Atlantic). This estuarine area is characterized by a frontal system that accumulates anthropogenic debris. We explored exposure of green turtles to plastic and its ingestion via debris distribution, habitat use and digestive tract examination. Results indicated that there is considerable overlap of frontal accumulated plastic and core foraging areas of the animals. Exposure results in ingestion, as shown by the high frequency of plastic found in the digestive tracts. The RÃo de la Plata estuarine front is an area of conservation concern for young green turtles.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Oceanography
Authors
Victoria González Carman, E. Marcelo Acha, Sara M. Maxwell, Diego Albareda, Claudio Campagna, Hermes Mianzan,