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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic contamination in waterbirds and their habitats: evidence from little egrets (Egretta garzetta) in tropical rice fields
ClearIdentification of microplastics in the digestive tract of Great Egret (Egretta alba) in Percut Sei Tuan, North Sumatra
Researchers examined the digestive tracts of great egrets in Percut Sei Tuan, North Sumatra, and found 15 microplastic particles in their stomachs and 13 in their intestines, with fibers being the most common type. The study suggests that these waterbirds are accumulating microplastics from their aquatic feeding habitats, reflecting significant plastic pollution in the local environment.
Microplastics in the digestive organs of little egret (Egretta garzetta) in Tanjung Rejo Village, Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Microplastics were found in the digestive organs of little egrets (Egretta garzetta) in North Sumatra, Indonesia, with fibers being the dominant shape, indicating that even wading birds in Indonesian coastal wetlands are accumulating plastic pollution through their diet.
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.
Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics
Researchers found microplastics in the feces of two urban waterbird species in Kerala, India, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common types. Both juvenile and adult birds were affected equally, suggesting that waterbirds can transport microplastics through ecosystems and serve as indicators of local plastic waste levels in freshwater environments.
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.
[Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Migratory Bird Habitats Located Within Poyang Lake Wetlands].
Researchers found microplastics in surface water, sediment, and the droppings of migratory birds at a Chinese wetland lake, raising concerns about how birds can transport microplastics across long distances. The study suggests that migratory birds may be spreading plastic contamination between distant habitats.
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.
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.
Microplastics footprint in nature reserves-a case study on the microplastics in the guano from Yancheng Wetland Rare Birds National Nature Reserve, China
Researchers found microplastics in the droppings of birds at a protected nature reserve in China, with fibers and polyethylene being the most common types. Different bird species had varying levels of contamination depending on their habitat and feeding behavior, with aquatic birds generally ingesting more microplastics. This study shows that even wildlife in protected areas is exposed to microplastic pollution, which can move through food chains.
High 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.
Microplastics presence in wild bird species through an environmental forensic lens
This study examined microplastic presence in wild bird species using an environmental forensics approach, finding plastic particles across multiple bird taxa in ecosystems ranging from urban to remote. The results highlight wild birds as both sentinels of and victims of plastic pollution.
Using aquatic insects as indicators of microplastic pollution in rice field ecosystems
Researchers used aquatic insect communities as bioindicators of microplastic pollution in rice field ecosystems, comparing insect diversity and abundance across fields with different levels of plastic contamination. Insect assemblages responded sensitively to microplastic loads, demonstrating their potential as low-cost monitoring tools.
Microplastic accumulation in various bird species in Turkey
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in 12 bird species in Turkey, providing the first data of its kind for the country. They found microplastics in all species examined, with variations in particle types and concentrations across different birds. The study contributes to the growing evidence that microplastic pollution affects wildlife across diverse habitats and feeding strategies.
Microplastics (MPs) distribution in Surface Sediments of the Freidounkenar Paddy Wetland
Researchers documented microplastic contamination for the first time in the sediments of Freidounkenar International Wetland in northern Iran, finding 1,368 MP/kg with fibers and fragments dominating, posing a risk to migratory bird habitat.
Microplastics in Yellow River Delta wetland: Occurrence, characteristics, human influences, and marker
Microplastics were surveyed across different zones of the Yellow River Delta wetland with varying levels of human activity, finding widespread contamination even in protected areas with minimal human presence, with MP abundances ranging from 136 to 2060 items/kg. The study identifies direct human activities as a stronger driver of wetland microplastic contamination than tourism.
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.
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.
Plastic ingestion in aquatic insects: Implications of waterbirds and landfills and association with stable isotopes
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in aquatic insects (water boatmen and midges) across Mediterranean wetlands in southern Spain. They found 571 suspected microplastic particles, mostly blue polyester and polypropylene fibers, with higher contamination near landfills and in areas frequented by colonial waterbirds that feed at landfills. The study suggests that landfills and birds that visit them serve as significant vectors for transferring microplastics into wetland ecosystems.
Microplastics in full view: Birds as bioindicators of Malta's coastal ecosystem health
This study used coastal water birds as bioindicators to assess microplastic contamination along Malta's Mediterranean coastline, finding microplastics in multiple bird species. The approach demonstrates how wildlife monitoring can provide a practical method for tracking regional marine pollution levels.
Widespread microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in the intestines of birds: A case study from Chengdu, China
Researchers found microplastics and nanoplastics in the intestines of 49 bird species in Chengdu, China, with PVC and chlorinated polyethylene being the most common types. Nanoplastics, which are harder to detect and potentially more harmful, were confirmed in five species using advanced analytical methods. The widespread contamination across many bird species suggests that microplastic pollution has thoroughly penetrated terrestrial food webs, not just marine environments.
Microplastics in Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Feces from Lake Erçek (Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye): Occurrence, Temporal Variation, and Polymer Characterization
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from Greylag Geese wintering at Lake Ercek in eastern Turkey and found microplastics in all composite samples, averaging about 2.4 items per fecal deposit. Fibers were the most common particle type, peaking in late autumn to early winter, with polyester and polyethylene confirmed as dominant polymers. The study provides a non-invasive baseline for monitoring microplastic exposure in inland waterbirds.
A methodology for the sampling and identification of microplastics in bird nests
Researchers developed and tested a green (chemical-free) method to extract and identify microplastics from bird nests, finding an average of 250 microplastic items per nest in urban Great-tailed grackle nests, mostly synthetic polyethylene and polypropylene fibers. Bird nests offer a practical, non-invasive way to monitor microplastic contamination in urban and terrestrial 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.
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.