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Microplastic pollution in an endangered Galapagos pinniped: A comprehensive regional assessment

Abstract:

Synthetic polymers are a persistent global threat to marine biodiversity, generating significant concern due to weak mitigation systems. This study aimed to assess microplastic (MP) ingestion in the endangered Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), evaluating spatial patterns, polymer composition, and the influence of anthropogenic pressures and oceanographic drivers across the Galapagos Marine Reserve. We analyzed 160 scat samples from six rookeries across three Galápagos bioregions to quantify MP ingestion and evaluate regional sources and drivers using standardized digestion-based spectroscopic identification. MPs were detected in 44.4% of samples, with a mean abundance of 0.69 ± 1.06 particles per scat, dominated by fibers (91.8%) and dark colors (black: 44%, blue: 43%). MP abundance was higher at urban-adjacent and western-exposed rookeries (up to ∼1 MP scat−1) compared to …