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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics
ClearHigh microplastic pollution in birds of urban waterbodies revealed by non-invasively collected faecal samples
Researchers analyzed bird droppings from urban freshwater habitats in Germany and found microplastic particles, mainly fibers, in 98% of samples across all species studied. The pollution levels were substantially higher than those reported in other freshwater bird studies, likely reflecting the heavy contamination of urban waterways. Since all the investigated species are at least partially migratory, the findings suggest birds may transport microplastics over long distances.
Ingestion of Unusual Items by Wetland Birds in Urban Landscapes
Researchers surveyed regurgitated pellets from colonial wetland birds in two Indian cities, finding that over half of pellets in Coimbatore contained rubber bands, rubber balloons, and small plastic debris, demonstrating widespread ingestion of anthropogenic litter by urban birds.
Microplastic Quantification in Aquatic Birds: Biomonitoring the Environmental Health of the Panjkora River Freshwater Ecosystem in Pakistan
Researchers raised ducks on the banks of the Panjkora River in Pakistan for over four months to assess microplastic contamination in a freshwater ecosystem through biomonitoring. They found microplastics present in the gastrointestinal tracts of all sampled birds, with fibers and fragments being the most common types, primarily composed of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study demonstrates that aquatic birds can serve as effective biological indicators of microplastic pollution levels in river systems.
Assessment of microplastics in gastrointestinal tract of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from a metropolitan city Lahore, Pakistan
Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle egrets from Lahore, Pakistan, and found significant levels of microplastics, with sheets and fibers being the most abundant types. Chemical analysis identified polyvinyl alcohol, polyisobutylene, and polyaramid as the main polymer compounds present. The findings indicate that even semi-aquatic bird species in urban environments are accumulating concerning levels of microplastic contamination.
Investigation of Microplastic in Pellets from the Selected Piscivorous Bird Along the Wetlands of Coimbatore City in Tamil Nadu State of India
Researchers examined regurgitated pellets from Common Kingfishers along Indian wetlands and detected polyethylene and polypropylene microplastic fibers in 26% of pellets, providing the first evidence of microplastic ingestion by this piscivorous bird species in southern India and highlighting contamination within freshwater food webs.
The threat of microplastics: Exploring pollution in coastal ecosystems and migratory shorebirds along the west coast of India
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across ten coastal sites on India's west coast, testing water, sediment, invertebrate prey, and shorebird droppings. Microplastics, mostly fibers, were found in all sample types, with water identified as the primary pathway for spreading plastics through the food chain. The study demonstrates how microplastics move from water through prey animals to top predators, illustrating the food chain transfer that ultimately could affect human seafood consumption.
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.
Presence of plastic particles in waterbirds faeces collected in Spanish lakes
Researchers analyzed feces from three waterbird species (coot, mallard, shelduck) at five inland wetlands in Spain, finding plastic debris in 44–60% of individuals, suggesting that freshwater waterfowl ingest plastic at frequencies comparable to marine seabirds, likely from agricultural plastic debris surrounding the lakes.
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.
Microplastic contamination in waterbirds and their habitats: evidence from little egrets (Egretta garzetta) in tropical rice fields
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in little egrets and their rice field habitats in tropical southern China. They found microplastics in water, sediment, feathers, and fecal samples, with fiber-shaped particles being the most common type. The study suggests that waterbirds can serve as useful indicators of microplastic pollution levels in agricultural wetland environments.
Microplastics characteristics and environmental correlates of their presence in the nests of white stork: An evidence for biotransfer and biocirculation in the ecosystem
Researchers surveyed microplastic characteristics across multiple urban water bodies, examining how land use, hydrology, and seasonal variation correlate with microplastic presence. Results showed that areas dominated by residential and commercial land use had consistently higher microplastic loads, with fibres the most prevalent particle type.
Non-invasive methodology for the ecotoxicological sampling of anatids in urban and peri-urban areas
Researchers proposed a non-invasive methodology for ecotoxicological sampling of urban ducks and waterfowl to monitor environmental pollution including microplastics. The multidisciplinary approach uses urban waterbirds as bioindicators, taking advantage of their correlation with human pollutant exposure. The study emphasizes that these readily accessible urban species offer a practical way to assess environmental contamination levels in populated areas.
Characterization of plastic ingestion in urban gull chicks and its implications for their use as pollution sentinels in coastal cities
Researchers examined the stomach contents of 56 yellow-legged gull chicks in Barcelona and found microplastics in 100% of the birds, with larger plastic pieces in about 20%. The chicks ingested plastics from their urban coastal environment, mostly fragments and fibers from common consumer plastics. This study shows how urban wildlife can serve as indicators of plastic pollution levels and highlights the widespread contamination of coastal food webs that humans also depend on.
Birds as bioindicators of plastic pollution in terrestrial and freshwater environments: A 30-year review
This 30-year review of 106 studies examines how birds in freshwater and land environments are affected by plastic pollution. Most research has focused on larger plastic pieces, while microplastic exposure in these bird species is understudied and nanoplastic exposure has not been investigated at all. The authors urge researchers to develop standardized methods for measuring small plastic particles in birds, which could serve as valuable warning signs of plastic pollution across ecosystems.
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.
Microplastics in Urban Bird Feces: A Methodological Approach and Case Study in Mexico City
Researchers analyzed pigeon droppings from three sites in Mexico City and found 16 to 28 microplastic particles per gram, mostly fragments of polystyrene and polyethylene smaller than 1 millimeter. The study developed a reliable method for extracting microplastics from organic material with a 93% recovery rate. Urban birds like pigeons can serve as indicators of microplastic pollution levels in cities, reflecting the contamination that humans in those same areas are also exposed to.
The measurement of microplastics in surface water and their impact on histopathological structures in wading birds of district Lahore
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in surface water around Lahore, Pakistan, and examined its effects on local wading birds. The Ravi River had the highest contamination, with over 5,000 particles per cubic meter, and birds living near these waters showed tissue damage in multiple organs. This study demonstrates that microplastic pollution in urban waterways can harm wildlife and may indicate broader risks for communities relying on these water sources.
Plastic ingestion by fishing cats suggests trophic transfer in urban wetlands
Researchers analyzed 276 fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) scat samples from urban Colombo, Sri Lanka and detected macroscopic plastic debris in 2.17% of samples and microplastics in 0.72%, with plastic found across scats containing rodent, avian, and fish remains, suggesting trophic transfer of plastics through urban wetland food webs.
First evidence of microplastics in surface water of urban waterbodies in Bhopal city, India- abundance and their characteristics
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastics in surface water of urban waterbodies in Bhopal, India, characterizing particle abundance, morphology, and polymer composition across multiple sites and identifying nearby plastic waste disposal as the primary source.
Migration characteristics of microplastics based on source-sink investigation in a typical urban wetland
Researchers investigated microplastic migration in a typical urban wetland by examining sources and sinks including surface water, sediment, and agricultural waste, revealing how wetlands serve as transitional systems channeling urban microplastic pollution into freshwater environments.
Urban tropical freshwater ponds as microplastics hotspots—insight on abundance and characteristics using an improved sampling technique
Researchers surveyed 20 urban freshwater ponds in central India and found microplastics present in all of them, with fragments, films, and foams being the most common types. They introduced an improved, low-cost sampling technique that does not require boats, making it practical for studying smaller water bodies. The results confirm that urban ponds are significant hotspots for microplastic accumulation, with polyethylene and polystyrene being the dominant polymer types.
Anthropogenic Litter in Urban Freshwater Ecosystems: Distribution and Microbial Interactions
Researchers quantified anthropogenic litter in urban rivers and streams and found that microplastics dominated by mass and particle count compared to macroplastic items. The study highlights urban freshwater systems as major conduits for plastic pollution moving toward marine environments and documents distinct microbial communities on plastic surfaces.
Microplastic Pollution in Urban Birds: A Comparative Study of Rock, Columba livia, and Corvus splendens
Researchers compared microplastic contamination, health markers, and foraging behaviour in Rock Pigeons and House Crows from urban environments in a study of terrestrial avian MP exposure. Both species contained MPs in their gastrointestinal tracts, with differences in contamination level and polymer type reflecting species-specific foraging ecology.
Differences in microplastics in passerine feces across species, diet, and foraging location
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from five passerine bird species and found microplastics in all of them, with ground-foraging species carrying higher particle loads and insectivores ingesting more fragment-shaped particles than omnivores — suggesting that feeding behavior and habitat determine which bird species face the greatest microplastic exposure risk.