First Report of Plastic and Artificial Cellulose Ingestion by Freshwater Turtles in the Amazon

Abstract

Plastic and other synthetic polymers pose a significant threat to wildlife, particularly aquatic organisms. Numerous reports have documented instances of animals, including fish, cetaceans, birds, and turtles, ingesting plastic. While the Chelonian group has received considerable attention in relation to plastic pollution, most studies have primarily focused on marine turtles. Despite the higher richness, only five species of freshwater turtles have been reported to consume plastic. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first report of plastic and artificial cellulose ingestion by freshwater turtles in the Amazon region. Our findings indicate that 20% of Podocnemis unifilis and 60% of Kinosternon scorpioides had ingested artificial polymers. All polymers ingested by P. unifilis were categorized as microparticles, while 37.5% of the fragments ingested by K. scorpioides were mesoparticles. The identified meso- and microparticles included polysaccharide gum, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, latex, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Additionally, artificial cellulose particles were the most frequently detected particles. These polymers likely originated from sources such as plastic bags, fishing gear, and the washing of textiles, highlighting potential inadequacies in the region's sewage disposal system. These findings provide new evidence of the potential threat posed by artificial polymers to freshwater turtles in the Amazon region despite the favorable conservation status of the collection locations. Consequently, further studies are required to identify the presence and impact of artificial polymers on aquatic habitats and organisms.