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Plastic waste in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis atlantis) nests in Biosphere Reserves of the Canary Islands (Spain)
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Researchers examined plastic waste found in the nests of Yellow-legged gulls at Biosphere Reserves in the Canary Islands, Spain, finding macro, meso, and microplastic particles incorporated into nesting material. When birds use plastic debris to build nests, they introduce contamination to breeding sites and create pathways for young birds to be exposed to plastics from hatching.
Plastic waste is the cause of the death of thousands of birds due to ingestion, starvation or entanglement, with marine species being the most affected by this problem [1]. Several articles have shown a growth of bird species that use plastic waste to make their nests [2]. This behaviour has a dangerous repercussion: once the plastic is placed in the nest, it becomes part of the ecosystem, generating pollution in an area where this threat did not exist before [3]. One of these species is the Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis atlantis), widely distributed throughout the Macaronesian region, Considering the above, in this work the determination of plastic residues (macro, meso and microplastics) in abandoned yellow-legged gull nests located in two Biosphere Reserves of the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) has been carried out. For this purpose, a total of 48 abandoned nests were studied: 15 nests from Lobos island, belonging to Fuerteventura's Biosphere Reserve, and 33 nests from different areas of Lanzarote's Biosphere Reserve (12 from Los Hervideros, 3 from Montaña Clara islet, 8 from the Timanfaya National Park and 10 from Risco de Famara). In total, 803 plastic items were found in the nests: 66 items were separated from the nests taken from Lobos island (4.4 ± 4.6 items/nest), 386 items from those of Los Hervideros (32.2 ± 13.7 items/nest), 25 items from those of Montaña Clara islet (8.3 ± 13.6 items/nest), 324 items from the nests of Timanfaya National Park (40.5 ± 61.6 items/nest) and 2 items from those of Risco de Famara (0.2 ± 0.6 items/nest). The total mass of plastic waste was 17.40 g, 17.07 g corresponding to meso and macroplastics, and 0.26 g to the microplastics fraction. The items most frequently found were nylon lines, fishing nets and wipes. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426903/document
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Microplastics in feces and pellets from yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) in the Atlantic Islands National Park of Galicia (NW Spain)
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Researchers found microplastics in feces and pellets from yellow-legged gulls nesting in the Atlantic Islands National Park of Galicia, Spain, detecting particles of five shapes with polypropylene as the dominant polymer. The study provides baseline microplastic contamination data for this ecologically important seabird in a protected coastal area.
Plastic pollution exposure in seabirds : from macroplastics to microplastics
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A French PhD thesis quantified plastic pollution exposure in yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) across the western Mediterranean, finding microplastics (10 µm–1 mm) in nearly all examined birds, with an average of ~39 mg of plastic per bird including ~8.5 mg of small microplastics. The work developed a new tissue-level microplastic quantification protocol for vertebrates, and shows that seabirds near landfills and agricultural areas carry the heaviest plastic burdens — suggesting land-based waste management directly controls wildlife microplastic exposure.
Plastic Ingestion and Organic Pollutants in Seabirds of Gran Canaria (canary Islands, Spain)
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Researchers analyzed the stomach contents and tissues of 88 seabirds from 14 species stranded or found dead in the Canary Islands, finding both plastic particles and organic pollutants in many individuals. The study documents how seabirds accumulate both plastics and plastic-associated chemical contaminants, with microplastics acting as vectors that concentrate toxic organic pollutants in marine birds.
Changes in plastic ingestion by yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) over the breeding season
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Scientists studying seagulls in France found that nearly 84% of the birds' regurgitated pellets contained plastic, mostly bits of plastic sheeting like bags and wrappers. Interestingly, gulls seemed to eat slightly less plastic-contaminated food right when their chicks hatched, suggesting they instinctively try to feed their young safer meals. This matters for us too: it shows just how deeply plastic pollution has infiltrated wildlife food chains, the same food chains that eventually connect back to the fish and seafood many people eat.
Characterization of plastic ingestion in urban gull chicks and its implications for their use as pollution sentinels in coastal cities
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Researchers examined the stomach contents of 56 yellow-legged gull chicks in Barcelona and found microplastics in 100% of the birds, with larger plastic pieces in about 20%. The chicks ingested plastics from their urban coastal environment, mostly fragments and fibers from common consumer plastics. This study shows how urban wildlife can serve as indicators of plastic pollution levels and highlights the widespread contamination of coastal food webs that humans also depend on.
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