Study finds higher microplastic levels in Brazilian wildlife near human development
A Nature study found that tapirs and giant anteaters in Brazil tended to have higher blood microplastic levels with greater exposure to human-modified landscapes.
Researchers measured microplastics in blood samples from lowland tapirs and giant anteaters in Brazil and combined the results with GPS tracking data. They reported higher microplastic concentrations among animals with greater exposure to human-modified landscapes or closer proximity to development and waste facilities.
The researchers also detected microplastics in some animals in remote habitats, indicating that local land use was not the only possible source of exposure.