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Transfer of Additive Chemicals From Marine Plastic Debris to the Stomach Oil of Northern Fulmars
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Researchers mixed a marine litter-derived microplastic reference material with northern fulmar stomach oil in laboratory experiments, finding that plastic additives readily transferred into the oil, suggesting this is a real pathway for seabirds to accumulate plastic chemicals.
For this study, the transfer of plastic additives to stomach oil of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) has been investigated. Procellariiform seabirds retain oily components of their prey in theirs stomach as a means to store energy. A marine litter-derived microplastic reference mixture and separately a marine litter-derived polystyrene sample were added to stomach oils in an experiment. A total of 15 additives, including plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, flame retardants, and preservatives were identified in the original plastic mixtures, and monitored in the leachates. These substances include those known for endocrine disruptive, carcinogenic and/or other negative effects on organisms. Stomach oil was exposed to these plastic materials and was sampled during a long-term experiment (0, 14 and 90 days exposure of plastic particles in stomach oil) and a subsequent short-term detailed study (8 hours, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 21 days). Five of the monitored substances were shown to strongly leach from the microplastic reference mixture into the stomach oil during the experiment. Four substances were identified in a marine litter-derived polystyrene foam, of which two leached into stomach oil. Leaching of harmful plastic additives to the stomach oil of fulmars may be of concern, as fulmars regularly ingest plastics which are retained and gradually ground in the gizzard before passage to the intestines and excretion.
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Researchers investigated organic and inorganic co-contaminants associated with ingested microplastics in northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes from the Canadian Arctic, finding that fulmars had higher levels of microplastic contamination and plastic-additive organic compounds than kittiwakes, and examining the extent to which ingested microplastics act as transport vectors for persistent organic pollutants and trace metals.
Negligible Impact of Ingested Microplastics on Tissue Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Northern Fulmars off Coastal Norway
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This study compared persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in northern fulmars from Norwegian waters that had ingested different amounts of plastic and found no significant relationship between plastic ingestion and POP tissue levels. The results suggest that in this species, plastic is not a meaningful vector for transferring additional chemical pollution beyond what the birds already accumulate through their diet.
Plastic ingestion and plastic-related chemicals in northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis): Exploration of histopathological and endocrine alterations
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Nearly all seabird chicks studied had swallowed plastic, and chemicals linked to plastic (like PFAS and flame retardants) were tied to disrupted thyroid hormones and scarring, even in birds with less plastic in their stomachs. This suggests these chemicals reach animals through multiple routes, not just direct plastic eating, a warning sign for how similar chemicals might affect human hormone health too.
Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic
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Researchers analyzed the co-contaminants of microplastics ingested by northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes from the Canadian Arctic, finding that fulmars had higher plastic loads and greater concentrations of plastic additive compounds, while kittiwakes had higher legacy persistent organic pollutants. Fulmars with larger foraging ranges carried the highest overall contaminant burdens, suggesting they act as long-range transport vectors for plastic-associated pollution.
Relative Importance of Microplastics as Vectors of Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals to Marine Fish and Seabirds
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Researchers used mathematical models to evaluate whether microplastics serve as meaningful delivery vehicles for toxic chemicals to marine fish and seabirds, finding that for most pollutants the microplastic pathway is negligible — though plastic additives with high fat-solubility may still pose a notable risk.
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