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Elevated levels of ingested plastic in a high Arctic seabird, the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
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Researchers found that 87.5% of northern fulmars — seabirds nesting in the high Arctic near Svalbard — had plastic in their stomachs, exceeding pollution thresholds set for European seas. The finding is alarming because it shows plastic contamination has reached even the remote Arctic, raising urgent concerns as commercial shipping routes in the region expand.
Plastic pollution is of worldwide concern; however, increases in international commercial activity in the Arctic are occurring without the knowledge of the existing threat posed to the local marine environment by plastic litter. Here, we quantify plastic ingestion by northern fulmars, Fulmarus glacialis, from Svalbard, at the gateway to future shipping routes in the high Arctic. Plastic ingestion by Svalbard fulmars does not follow the established decreasing trend away from human marine impact. Of 40 sampled individuals, 35 fulmars (87.5 %) had plastic in their stomachs, averaging at 0.08 g or 15.3 pieces per individual. Plastic ingestion levels on Svalbard exceed the ecological quality objective defined by OSPAR for European seas. This highlights an urgent need for mitigation of plastic pollution in the Arctic as well as international regulation of future commercial activity.
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Plastics in stomachs of northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis collected at sea off east Greenland: latitude, age, sex and season
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Researchers analyzed stomachs from 145 northern fulmars (seabirds) hunted off east Greenland and found plastic in 86% of birds, with an average of 13.5 particles per stomach — well above international policy targets. The study also found that younger birds and females contained more plastic, likely due to differences in how much time they spend at sea where plastic accumulates.
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Researchers analyzed plastic ingestion in northern fulmars from Svalbard in the Arctic and compared results to data from 25 years ago. They found that plastic burdens in fulmars have not decreased over time despite growing awareness of the issue, with many birds still exceeding ecological threshold levels. The findings demonstrate that plastic pollution in Arctic marine environments remains a persistent and unresolved problem.
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Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in the Greenland Sea, studying both surface water samples and planktivorous diving seabirds. The study found that despite being far from major pollution sources, the Arctic contains measurable microplastic levels and that seabirds in the region are selectively contaminated, confirming the widespread reach of microplastic pollution.
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Researchers reviewed four decades of studies on microplastic ingestion by seabirds in Arctic and Antarctic regions, covering at least 13 species. They found that polar seabirds regularly ingest microplastics, with polyethylene being the most common type detected. The study highlights that even some of the most remote ecosystems on Earth are not immune to plastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.