We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A quantitative risk assessment framework for mortality due to macroplastic ingestion in seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed over 10,000 necropsies of seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles to quantify the risk of death from swallowing large plastic debris. The study found that sea turtles faced the highest mortality rate at 4.4%, and the type of plastic mattered: rubber was most dangerous for seabirds, fishing debris for marine mammals, and soft plastics for sea turtles.
Plastic ingestion has been documented in nearly 1,300 marine species, including every seabird family, marine mammal family, and sea turtle species. Acute mortality, due to obstruction, perforation, or torsion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, has been confirmed via necropsy in all three taxa; however, quantitative risk assessment for macroplastic ingestion poses unique challenges, with risk more dependent on probability of discrete events involving diverse plastic types rather than cumulative exposure models (e.g., LC50). We model mortality risk associated with macroplastic ingestion in seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles, using data from more than 10,000 necropsies reported in the academic literature and stranding network databases. Employing an adapted Weibull Accelerated Failure Time model, we assess the relationship between the GI load (pieces and volume/animal length) of different plastic types-hard, soft, rubber, or fishing debris-and likelihood of plastic-induced mortality. Overall, 35% of seabirds, 12% of marine mammals, and 47% of sea turtles ingested plastic, and 1.6%, 0.7%, and 4.4% died from plastic, respectively. When modeling plastic together, a 90% chance of mortality was associated with 23 pieces (0.098 cm3/cm) in seabirds, 29 pieces (39.89 cm3/cm) in marine mammals, and 405 pieces (5.52 cm3/cm) in sea turtles (377 for juveniles). The plastic types that posed the greatest risks were rubber for seabirds, soft plastics and fishing debris for marine mammals, and hard and soft plastics for sea turtles. This research furthers scientific understanding of the likelihood of mortality from plastic ingestion and can inform monitoring, risk assessments, and management frameworks.
More Papers Like This
A quantitative analysis linking sea turtle mortality and plastic debris ingestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed two datasets covering hundreds of sea turtles and found a quantitative link between the amount of plastic debris ingested and the probability of death. The study estimated that ingesting as few as 14 pieces of plastic significantly increases mortality risk, providing some of the first direct statistical evidence connecting plastic ingestion volume to lethal outcomes in marine turtles.
Plastic pollution is killing marine megafauna, but how do we prioritize policies to reduce mortality?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compiled data on which specific debris items cause death in marine megafauna, including sea turtles, seabirds, whales, and seals. They found that flexible plastics such as bags, sheets, and packaging were responsible for the greatest number of fatalities across species. The study provides an evidence-based framework for prioritizing policy interventions that target the most lethal types of marine debris.
The impact of debris on marine life.
AI summary Read the abstract
A systematic review of 340 publications documented encounters between 693 marine species and debris, with 92% of interactions involving plastic and 17% involving microplastics. The review established marine debris — especially plastic — as a major, widespread threat to marine biodiversity through entanglement, ingestion, and habitat degradation.
Integrating plastic ingestion impacts into biodiversity metrics: a global effect factor for marine air-breathing vertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studied how plastic pollution affects marine animals like seabirds, sea turtles, and whales by analyzing data from over 55,000 animals across 308 species. They found that when plastic debris in ocean water reaches about 52 kilograms per square kilometer, 20% of these species will have at least 1 in 10 animals eating plastic. This research helps us better measure the true environmental cost of plastic pollution, which matters because these same plastics that harm marine life can also end up in seafood we eat.
Frequency of plastic occurrence varies across phylogeny but not ecology in seabirds.
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.