Influence of marine pollution on infectious diseases in marine mammals: review and data analysis

Abstract

Marine pollutantsendangermarine mammals and their environment, and itsharmful effects are increasing due to the world’s human populationgrowth. The consequences of this increase can be detected throughthe large number ofcases ofmarine mammals that strand worldwideand the high levels of pollutants and heavy metals that can be found in their bodies. This study aims to reviewthe current situation of marine plastics and theireffects on marine mammals, as well asto analyse large-scale data to understand therelationship between the abundanceof marine plastics in our oceans and the emerging infectious diseases in marine mammals due to immunosuppression and the bioaccumulation of pollutants.