First Evidence of Retrospective Findings of Microplastics in Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) From German Waters

Microplastic ingestion by lower trophic level organisms is well known, whereas information on microplastic ingestion, egestion and accumulation top predators such as cetaceans still lacking. This study investigates microplastics in intestinal samples from harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena ) found along the coastline of Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) between 2014 2018. Out 30 individuals North Sea (NS) Baltic (BS) coast, 28 specimens contained microplastic. a relationship nutritional status amount microplastics. Harbour with good or moderate higher number microplastics, when compared poor status. In addition, died accidently due to suspected bycatch gillnets, where feeding event highly assumed pharyngeal entrapment happened, burden was higher. total, 401 (≥100 μm), including 202 fibres 199 fragments were found. Intestines BS more than ones NS. Differences share could be revealed: for constituted 51.44% NS, 47.97%. The polymers polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, acrylic (with nitrile component) an acrylic/alkyd paint chip styrene kaolin components) identified. first investigating occurrence German waters will, thus, provide valuable actual Seas.