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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Micro- and mesoplastic contaminants in marine diving ducks: A first assessments from the coast of Japan
ClearPrey choice and ingestion of microplastics by common shelducks and common eiders in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site
Researchers found microplastic contamination in over 92% of stomach samples and 74–86% of fecal samples from common eiders and common shelducks in the Wadden Sea, with plastic filaments under 5mm dominating, suggesting widespread and near-universal ingestion by these coastal seabirds.
Microplastics contamination in tidelands of the Osaka Bay area in western Japan
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the mudflats of four Osaka Bay tidelands in Japan, finding that concentrations in sediment increased with proximity to urban areas, and detected microplastics in 10% of bivalves, 6.7% of crabs, and in the stomach of a tufted duck. The results suggest biomagnification potential in the food web, with higher-order predators potentially accumulating greater microplastic loads in tideland ecosystems near cities.
The hidden cost of following currents: Microplastic ingestion in a planktivorous seabird
Researchers documented microplastic ingestion in Mediterranean storm petrels, finding that these planktivorous seabirds ingest microplastics while foraging in pelagic areas where plastic debris accumulates alongside their planktonic prey in ocean currents.
Evaluation of microplastics and metal accumulation in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. domesticus) of a contaminated reservoir in Central Mexico
Researchers examined domestic ducks living near a contaminated reservoir in central Mexico and found nearly all birds had ingested microplastics, averaging about 155 suspected particles per individual. The ducks also showed signs of heavy metal contamination and poor body condition. The study provides baseline data linking microplastic and metal pollution in waterfowl to human activities around contaminated water bodies.
Micro-and macro-plastics in marine species from Nordic waters
This study surveyed micro- and macro-plastic contamination in marine species collected from Nordic waters, finding plastic in fish, crustaceans, and seabirds from multiple locations. The results document the geographic extent of microplastic ingestion across commercially and ecologically important Nordic marine species.
Abundance and characterization of microplastics in amphipods from the Japanese coastal environment
Researchers found high levels of microplastic ingestion in coastal amphipods from Japan, with up to 76 particles per individual and 83% of particles smaller than 90 µm, predominantly polyethylene, raising concerns about microplastic transfer through coastal food webs.
Microplastic ingestion: Are seabirds more affected than other marine species?
This review examines whether seabirds ingest plastic more frequently than other marine species, finding they are among the most affected groups with high rates of plastic ingestion documented across species. The review discusses factors including foraging behavior, habitat, and ocean plastic concentrations that explain why seabirds are particularly vulnerable.
Exposure to microplastics by pelagic and coastal seabirds from temperate and tropical environments
Researchers examined microplastic exposure in pelagic and coastal seabird species from temperate and tropical marine environments, using the birds' broad spatial distribution and feeding behavior to assess microplastic distribution and concentration patterns across oceanic regions.
Microplastic pollution in the Greenland Sea: Background levels and selective contamination of planktivorous diving seabirds
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.
Tracing microplastics in environmental sources and migratory shorebirds along the Central Asian Flyway
Researchers tracked microplastic contamination along migratory bird routes in central Asia, testing mudflats, mangroves, and the birds themselves. They found microplastics in both the environment and the digestive tracts of shorebirds, showing that these pollutants are moving through coastal food webs and may be carried across continents by migrating birds.
Airborne microplastics detected in the lungs of wild birds in Japan
Researchers found microplastics in the lungs of wild birds in Japan, including rock doves and barn swallows, confirming that birds inhale airborne plastic particles. The particles, mostly polypropylene and polyethylene fragments, were 28-70 micrometers in size and had reached deep into the lung tissue. Since birds breathe more efficiently than mammals, these findings serve as a warning that airborne microplastics are being inhaled by wildlife and likely by humans as well.
Ingestion of Microplastics by Zooplankton in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Researchers collected zooplankton from the northeast Pacific Ocean and found microplastics ingested by multiple species, demonstrating that microplastic uptake occurs throughout the open ocean zooplankton community far from coastlines.
Foraging strategy influences the quantity of ingested micro- and nanoplastics in shorebirds
Researchers found that surface-feeding shorebirds in Tasmania ingested 32 times more micro- and nanoplastics than deeper-foraging species, indicating that foraging strategy rather than local sediment contamination levels determines plastic exposure in coastal birds.
Availability and assessment of microplastic ingestion by marsh birds in Mississippi Gulf Coast tidal marshes
Microplastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of marsh birds from tidal marshes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with ingestion rates and particle types reflecting both direct feeding on contaminated prey and incidental consumption from the environment.
Seabirds from the poles: microplastics pollution sentinels
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.
Size and dynamics of microplastic in gastrointestinal tracts of Northern Fulmars ( Fulmarus glacialis ) and Sooty Shearwaters ( Ardenna grisea )
Researchers examined microplastic in the gastrointestinal tracts of 143 Northern Fulmars and 25 Sooty Shearwaters stranded on Oregon and Washington beaches, finding plastic in 89.5% and 64% of birds respectively, with larger particles concentrated in the stomach's upper chamber and no significant reduction in plastic load in birds held in a plastic-free rehabilitation environment for up to seven days.
Shorebirds ingest plastics too: what we know, what we do not know, and what we should do next
This review synthesized existing knowledge on plastic ingestion by shorebirds, finding that despite high potential exposure through foraging in contaminated habitats, research on shorebird plastic ingestion remains limited and requires more systematic investigation.
Microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tracts of nestling and adult migratory birds
Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tracts of both nestling and adult migratory birds across six species, finding widespread plastic ingestion with fibers predominating, suggesting that microplastic exposure begins early in avian life stages.
Species-specific accumulation of microplastics in different bird species from South China: A comprehensive analysis
Across 24 bird species in South China, insectivorous birds accumulated significantly more small microplastics (under 0.1 mm) than other feeding guilds, while piscivorous birds accumulated more large microplastics (over 1 mm). Diet source was a stronger predictor of microplastic contamination than trophic level or body weight, with polypropylene and PET as the dominant polymer types found.
Plastics and other anthropogenic debris in freshwater birds from Canada.
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.