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Shorebird droppings analysis: Microplastics and heavy metals in a key conservation reserve and adjoining sand beaches in the west coast of India
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Researchers analyzed droppings from ten migratory shorebird species at a conservation reserve on India's west coast and found microplastics and heavy metals in samples from all species. The contamination levels varied by species and season, reflecting differences in diet and habitat use. Since shorebirds are top predators in coastal food webs, their contamination indicates widespread microplastic and heavy metal pollution throughout the coastal ecosystem.
Coastlines are susceptible to plastic and heavy metal pollution, which can accumulate from both marine and terrestrial sources. Shorebirds, top-level predators in these fragile ecosystems are considered as indicators of environmental health. Here, we tested the occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in the droppings of ten regular wintering migrant shorebird species in Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve and adjoining sand beaches during November, December and January, each year, between 2019 and 2021. Heavy metals were analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the microplastic polymer compositions were identified using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. We detected high concentrations of heavy metals such as Zinc, Copper, Cobalt, Chromium, Lead and Cadmium in droppings. Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Poly Vinyl Chloride, Nitrile and Polyethylene terephthalate were the polymers identified. Polystyrene (42.6 %) and chromium (ranges between 7.83 and 88.45 mg/kg) were found to be the most abundant contaminants in most of the species.
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