Microplastic Concentration of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) GI Tracts in Southwest Florida 

Abstract

Microplastics pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems, particularly to green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are vulnerable due to their herbivorous diet and reliance on seagrass habitats that accumulate debris. While microplastics have been detected in sea turtle feces, their distribution throughout gastrointestinal (GI) tract remains poorly studied, especially in Florida. This study quantified microplastics in stranded green turtles from Sarasota and Manatee counties. Across two individuals, 1,499 particles were identified in all GI segments, with the intestine containing the highest abundance (83.3%–88.6%). Macroplastics were found in both turtles. These findings provide critical region-specific data to inform conservation efforts in seagrass-dominated coastal ecosystems.