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Microplastics in the diet of nestling double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), an obligate piscivore in a freshwater ecosystem
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Microplastics were found in the diet of double-crested cormorant chicks nesting near the Great Lakes, primarily as plastic fibers. This is one of the first studies to document microplastic ingestion in freshwater fish-eating birds in North America, suggesting the contamination extends through freshwater food webs.
Anthropogenic debris, namely plastic, is a concern across aquatic ecosystems worldwide, with freshwater systems being understudied relative to marine systems. In this study, we quantified and characterized debris in the diet of double-crested cormorant chicks (Phalacrocorax auritus) from three sites in two of the Laurentian Great Lakes to (i) determine whether or not the diet of double-crested cormorants in the Laurentian Great Lakes includes anthropogenic debris, (ii) characterize the size, shape, and type of debris incorporated, and (iii) examine relationships between the amount of debris ingested and their proximity to industrial–urban centres. Overall, >86% of cormorants in our study had anthropogenic debris (mostly fibers) in their digestive tracts with no correlation between site and the amount of debris ingested. The ingested debris includes microplastics, natural fibres from textiles, and other anthropogenic materials (e.g., glass). To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine anthropogenic debris in a diving bird in the Laurentian Great Lakes and one of few studies investigating this in freshwater birds.
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This study investigated trophic transfer of microplastics from invertebrates and fish to double-crested cormorants in Lake Champlain, finding microplastics at all trophic levels including in the birds. The results confirm that microplastics move up the food chain and accumulate in top predators, with implications for wildlife health and human consumers of fish.
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This study quantified plastic debris ingestion in 17 freshwater and one marine bird species across Canada, finding that over 11% of individuals had ingested anthropogenic debris. The results show that plastic pollution in freshwater environments affects birds at rates comparable to marine species, highlighting the need to extend plastic pollution monitoring beyond the ocean.
Investigation of Microplastic in Pellets from the Selected Piscivorous Bird Along the Wetlands of Coimbatore City in Tamil Nadu State of India
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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.