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Presence of microplastics in raptor pellets
Original title: Presencia de microplásticos en egagrópilas de aves rapaces
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Scientists found tiny plastic fibers in nearly all the pellets (regurgitated waste) collected from birds of prey in Chile, meaning these plastics are working their way into predator diets through the animals they eat. Since raptors sit near the top of the food chain, this suggests plastic pollution is spreading through entire ecosystems—a warning sign for the food chains that humans are also part of.
Plastic pollution is an alarming environmental problem affecting diverse ecosystems and species worldwide, with adverse consequences for wildlife health. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of micro- and mesoplastics in the pellets of raptors. Thirty-one pellets were collected from raptors in two areas of the Biobío Region, Chile (Concepción and Tomé), and from birds at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (CEREFAS) in Concepción. The pellets were digested and filtered for microscopic analysis. Microplastics were identified in 30 of the 31 samples (97%), and mesoplastics in one sample (3%). Forty-six microplastic fibres and one mesoplastic fibre were identified in Tomé, 34 microplastic fibres in CEREFAS, and 19 in Concepción. The predominant fibre colour was red (50%), followed by black (35%) and blue (15%). It is concluded that the presence of micro- and mesoplastics in the collected samples indicates the presence of plastic particles in the diet of raptors.
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