Plastic pollution and ocean giants: Investigating the extent and impacts of plastic ingestion by marine megafauna (ref 4597)

塑料污染的广泛和无所不在的性质导致越来越多的证据记录了人为废物对海洋生物的有害影响。在过去的二十年里，已知受到垃圾影响的海洋物种数量增加了两倍多，其中大部分是塑料垃圾。特别值得关注的是海洋巨型动物，即海洋哺乳动物（如鲸目动物和鳍足动物）、板鳃目动物（鲨鱼和鳐鱼）和海龟。这些大型海洋脊椎动物在海洋栖息地的功能和维持中发挥着关键作用，通常被认为是海洋生态系统健康的指标。由于对它们施加了过多的人为压力，许多物种也受到保护关注。海洋巨型动物摄入塑料可导致一系列致命和亚致命影响，包括肠道堵塞和内伤、饮食稀释、营养不良、接触化学污染物以及更易患病。我们对非常小的塑料颗粒（如微塑料和纳米塑料）在哺乳动物胃肠道中的命运以及潜在的健康影响的了解非常有限。项目目标和方法在本博士课程中，学生将以埃克塞特大学、普利茅斯海洋实验室和伦敦动物学会（ZSL）动物研究所（IoZ）鲸类搁浅调查项目的监督团队之前的研究为基础，了解在英国水域发现的一系列海洋巨型动物物种（包括鲸鱼、海豚、海豹、海龟和鲨鱼）摄入塑料的程度和潜在影响。学生可以制定项目的具体目标，但建议的目标包括：与搁浅科学家和兽医病理学家一起开发一种方法，对英国搁浅网络收集的大型海洋动物进行取样，以获取塑料消耗的证据；描述搁浅动物胃肠道内的任何塑料碎片（包括微塑料）；利用搁浅记录和已发表研究的数据，调查不同物种、不同生命阶段、通过探索物种分布和栖息地使用与塑料污染热点之间的重叠，研究空间模式，以评估物种的脆弱性。与监管团队和IoZ的组织病理学家合作，共同开发检测消化道样本的方法，以了解纳米塑料的存在和命运。考虑塑料摄入对个体动物健康的不利影响以及潜在的种群水平影响。

The widespread and pervasive nature of plastic pollution has resulted in a growing body of evidence documenting the detrimental effects of anthropogenic waste on marine organisms. Over the last two decades, the number of marine species known to be impacted by debris, the majority of which is plastic, has more than trebled. Of particular concern are the marine megafauna, namely marine mammals (e.g. cetaceans and pinnipeds), elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), and marine turtles. These large marine vertebrates play key roles in the functioning and maintenance of marine habitats and are often considered indicators of marine ecosystem health. Many are also of conservation concern due to the plethora of anthropogenic pressures exerted on them. Plastic ingestion by marine megafauna can lead to a range of lethal and sub-lethal impacts, including intestinal blockage and internal injury, dietary dilution, malnutrition, exposure to chemical contaminants and increased vulnerability to disease. Our understanding of the fate of very small plastic particles, such as microplastics and nanoplastics, within mammalian gastrointestinal tracts, and the potential health implications, is extremely limited.Project Aims and methodsIn this PhD, the student will build on previous research undertaken by the supervisory team from the University of Exeter, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme at the Institute of Zoology (IoZ)/Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to understand the extent and potential impacts of plastic ingestion by a range of marine megafauna species, including whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, and sharks, found in UK waters.There is scope for the student to develop the specific objectives of the project but suggested aims include:Work alongside strandings scientists and veterinary pathologists to develop a method of sampling large marine animals collected by the UK stranding networks for evidence of plastic consumptionCharacterise any plastic debris (including microplastics) within the gastrointestinal tracts of the stranded animals, with a view to identifying potential sources and informing policyUsing data from strandings records and published research, investigate the differences in exposure to plastic pollution among species, life-stages, and feeding strategies/dietExamine spatial patterns to assess species vulnerability by exploring the overlap between species distributions and habitat use with hotspots of plastic pollutionWork with the supervisory team and histopathologists at IoZ to co-develop methods for examining digestive tract samples for the presence and fate of nanoplasticsInvestigate the link between plastic ingestion and exposure to chemicals, such as phthalatesConsider the adverse health impacts of plastic ingestion for individual animals as well as the potential population-level effects.