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Characterisation of plastic debris (macro-, meso-, and microplastics) from stranded alcids in southern Spain
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Researchers analyzed plastic debris in the digestive tracts of 123 Atlantic puffins and razorbills collected along the Andalusia coast in Spain between 2022 and 2024. Puffins had significantly higher plastic prevalence (65%) than razorbills (18.4%), with fibers being the most common type in both species, suggesting different foraging behaviors drive differential exposure.
Plastic pollution has become a major issue for marine ecosystems. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to this pollution and are very good indicators of the ecological state of marine ecosystems. This study aims to analyse the presence of plastics in the digestive tracts of two seabird species: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) and the razorbill (Alca torda), collected along the Andalusia coast in Southern Spain. A total of 123 carcasses were collected during the autumn and winter seasons of 2022-2024. The results showed a significantly higher presence of plastics in Atlantic puffin (65.0 %) compared to razorbill (18.4 %). The mean number of plastics per puffin was 2.50 ± 2.75, while per razorbill was 0.31 ± 0.94. The predominant type of ingested plastic was fibres in both Atlantic puffin (38.0 %, n = 19) and razorbill (40.6 %, n = 13), with an average size of 1.58 ± 0.74 mm and 2.13 ± 1.98 mm, respectively. The predominant colour was black in both species (22.0 % in puffin and 46.9 % in razorbill), and polyethylene (39.5 %) was the most common plastic polymer, consisting of highly fragmented particles with low levels of adhering heavy metals. This study supports the growing concern about plastic pollution in marine environment, showing that alcid populations are ingesting plastics, potentially threatening these vulnerable species.
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Unraveling Plastic Pollution in Protected Terrestrial Raptors Using Regurgitated Pellets
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Regurgitated pellets from six protected raptor species in Spain contained microplastics and artificial fibers, with prevalence and composition varying by species and feeding ecology, providing the first evidence of plastic pollution in terrestrial birds of prey via their prey items.
Microplastics and organic pollutants in stranded northern gannet (Morus bassanus) from Southern Spain
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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of plastic ingestion and organic pollutant exposure in northern gannets stranded along the southern Spanish coast. The study found that 88% of the 42 birds examined had ingested plastics, with microplastics dominating the debris, and transparent fibers being the most common type, alongside measurable levels of persistent organic pollutants in muscle tissue.
Presence and the global implications of plastics in wild commercial fish in the Alboran Sea
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Researchers found plastics in the stomachs of four commercial fish species from the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean), with pelagic species showing higher prevalence than demersal ones. The study examined whether feeding behaviour and habitat explain the observed differences in plastic uptake across species.
Frequency of plastic occurrence varies across phylogeny but not ecology in seabirds.
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Researchers examined plastic ingestion records from over 93,000 seabirds across 240 species. Plastic was found in 76% of species, with pelicans most affected and penguins least affected. A bird's family group, rather than its diet, feeding method, or body size, best predicted whether plastic was found.
Size and dynamics of microplastic in gastrointestinal tracts of Northern Fulmars ( Fulmarus glacialis ) and Sooty Shearwaters ( Ardenna grisea )
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Researchers examined microplastic in the gastrointestinal tracts of 143 Northern Fulmars and 25 Sooty Shearwaters stranded on Oregon and Washington beaches, finding plastic in 89.5% and 64% of birds respectively, with larger particles concentrated in the stomach's upper chamber and no significant reduction in plastic load in birds held in a plastic-free rehabilitation environment for up to seven days.
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