Microplastics' (MPs) abundance, small size, and global distribution render them bioavailable to a variety of organisms directly or by trophic transfer, yet examinations in marine apex predators are currently limited. The present study investigated the occurrence of MPs sized 125 μm–5 mm in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in South Carolina, USA from 2017 to 2018. MPs, mostly fibers, were detected in all GITs (n = 7) of stranded bottlenose dolphins. Total suspected MPs ranged between 123 and 422 particles/individual, a high range among international studies. Comparison to other studies likely reflects differences in both methods and location. This is the first study from North America to quantify MPs in a small coastal cetacean outside Arctic waters and the first specifically in bottlenose dolphins (southeastern United States). Findings and methodology from this investigation can aid future studies examining MP in marine apex predators.

微塑料（MPs）的含量高，体积小和分布广泛，使得它们可以直接或通过营养转移被多种生物利用，但目前对海洋先天性捕食者的检查受到限制。本研究调查了2017年至2018年在美国南卡罗来纳州滞留的宽吻海豚（Tursiops truncatus）胃肠道（GIT）中大小为125 μm–5 mm的MP的发生。在所有GIT中都检测到MP（主要是纤维）（ñ = 7）缠绵的宽吻海豚。疑似MP的总数在123至422个微粒/个人之间，在国际研究中范围很大。与其他研究的比较可能反映了方法和位置的差异。这是来自北美的第一项量化北极水域以外小型沿海鲸类中MP的研究，也是首项专门针对宽吻海豚（美国东南部）的MP。这项调查的发现和方法可以帮助将来的研究检查海洋尖嘴天敌中的MP。