Marine plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue, with microplastics posing risks to filter-feeding megafauna due to their surface-feeding behaviors and the overlap in prey and particle size. In biodiversity hotspots like the Azores, species such as Mobula tarapacana may be especially vulnerable to microplastic exposure. This study investigated the presence of microplastics in the aggregation area of Princess Alice Bank, a key habitat for large pelagic filter feeders. Microplastic concentrations were assessed in both surface and subsurface waters, and the physical and chemical properties of particles were characterized. Additionally, muscle tissue biopsies from M. tarapacana were analyzed for PAEs, a class of plastic additives known to have endocrine-disrupting effects. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics in all surface samples and found variation in particle types, sizes, and polymers at different depths but no significant variation between Princess Alice Bank compared to a control site. Chemical analysis of tissue samples revealed the presence of PAEs, including DEHP, in several individuals. These findings suggest that filter-feeding species in the Azores may be exposed to both the physical and chemical aspects of plastic pollution. The study underscores the need for continued monitoring and highlights the importance of non-lethal sampling techniques for ecotoxicological risk assessments in marine megafauna.
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