We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in long-eared owl (Asio otus) pellets: tracing contamination through prey
AI summary Read the abstract
Analysis of 292 long-eared owl pellets from agricultural, steppe, and forest habitats in Turkey found microplastics in all habitat types, with fibers dominant and concentrations correlated with prey abundance and intensity of nearby human activity. This demonstrates that microplastics are moving through terrestrial food webs via small mammal prey, reaching top predators and confirming trophic transfer as a key exposure pathway even in wildlife far from direct pollution sources.
Microplastic pollution is a pervasive global environmental problem affecting ecosystems and pose a potential threat by entering the food chain. Due to their small size, microplastics are easily ingested by organisms at the base of the food web. Owls, as nocturnal predators, are vulnerable to microplastic bioaccumulation through their prey, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. This study investigates microplastic exposure in long-eared owls (Asio otus) by analyzing their pellet contents. A total of 292 pellets were collected from agricultural (n = 129), steppe (n = 116), and forest (n = 47) habitats in Ankara, Türkiye, over nine months. The most common microplastics found were fibers (78%), followed by films (14%) and fragments (8%), with sizes ranging from 0.5 to 4.4 mm. Microplastic distribution varied across habitats: 63% were found in steppe, 23% in agriculture, and 14% in forests particularly during non-breeding periods. The microplastics included polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and polypropylene (PP), among others. Harting’s vole was the primary rodent prey. A significant correlation was found between prey abundance and microplastic levels, suggesting trophic transfer through food webs. Microplastic concentrations were significantly higher in areas characterized by intensified anthropogenic activity. The study underscores the importance of protected areas with strict human activity regulations in reducing microplastic contamination, highlighting the need for targeted conservation and pollution management efforts to protect wildlife and ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics and terrestrial birds: a review on plastic ingestion in ecological linchpins
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastic pollution affects terrestrial birds — key ecological indicators — finding documented harms including intestinal blockage and developmental disruption, with implications for entire food webs since birds that ingest plastics can concentrate and transfer contamination to other species, including humans.
First report on occurrence and characterization of microplastics in feces of Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in 92% of fecal samples from Indian house crows (Corvus splendens), with polyester fibers dominating at 99% of particles and an average of 2.64 particles per sample. This first-ever report of microplastic ingestion in a terrestrial urban bird species highlights how plastic pollution has permeated even land-based wildlife food webs, far beyond marine and waterbird systems.
Differential microplastic contamination of waterbirds in a coastal region associated with trophic groups and spatial distribution
AI summary Read the abstract
A study of waterbird feces in southern Brazil found that shorebirds feeding in sediments had far higher microplastic loads than fish-eating birds, and contamination was worst near urban areas, with polyester and PVC the most common polymers detected. Trophic position and proximity to cities both shape how much plastic wildlife ingests, providing a natural monitoring system for tracking coastal microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in Biota
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics have been detected in biota across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, demonstrating their ability to enter food webs at multiple trophic levels. Their omnipresence in living organisms raises concerns about bioaccumulation of both the plastic particles and the chemical additives and adsorbed pollutants they carry.
Microplastics in Biota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers summarized evidence that microplastics have infiltrated living organisms across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, posing a broad threat to biodiversity. Their persistence in biological tissues means they can accumulate up the food chain, ultimately reaching humans through diet.
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.