title: Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios.
abstract: The impact that microplastics have on baleen whales is a question that remains largely unexplored. This study examined the interaction between free-ranging fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and microplastics by comparing populations living in two semi-enclosed basins, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California, Mexico). The results indicate that a considerable abundance of microplastics and plastic additives exists in the neustonic samples from Pelagos Sanctuary of the Mediterranean Sea, and that pelagic areas containing high densities of microplastics overlap with whale feeding grounds, suggesting that whales are exposed to microplastics during foraging; this was confirmed by the observation of a temporal increase in toxicological stress in whales. Given the abundance of microplastics in the Mediterranean environment, along with the high concentrations of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemicals, plastic additives and biomarker responses detected in the biopsies of Mediterranean whales as compared to those in whales inhabiting the Sea of Cortez, we believe that exposure to microplastics because of direct ingestion and consumption of contaminated prey poses a major threat to the health of fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guerranti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caliani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Minutoli
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lauriano
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Finoia
authors.affiliation: Technical Department Civil Engineering and Marine Works, Tuscany Region, Grosseto, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rubegni
authors.affiliation: Tethys Research Institute, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panigada
authors.affiliation: Marine Evolution and Conservation Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bérubé
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biology, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Urbán Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: panti4@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D050617:Fin Whale / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008800:Mexico; D010969:Plastics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014873:Water Pollutants
keywords: Baleen whales; Mediterranean Sea; Microplastics; PBT chemicals; Plastic additives; Sea of Cortez