by Elizabeth McMeekin
Researchers have found more evidence that microplastics are impacting freshwater wildlife in different countries around the world.
A new study, led by the University of Glasgow and published in the journal Environmental Research, documents the presence of microplastics in the droppings of freshwater birds nesting in different sites in Europe. The results shed more light on the extent of the impact of microplastics on the natural environment.
The research team focused on a small freshwater bird, the White-throated dipper, a species known for recolonising formerly heavily polluted rivers. Using non-invasive sampling techniques, researchers tested the concentration of microplastics in the faeces of birds nesting across Scotland and in the Basque Country in Spain.
After analysis they found that microplastics, mostly fibres, were detected in 62.5% of nesting broods, with higher concentrations found in the birds nesting near to urban or agricultural land, as opposed to natural landscapes such as forests. The results were the same for both the birds in Scotland and in Spain.
The research team also studied the birds’ body condition – a good indicator of normal growth conditions and health during early development – but found no conclusive evidence that birds with higher concentrations of microplastics in their faeces were less healthy.
There is mounting international concern about the impact of microplastics in our oceans and waters, for environment and for human and animal health. Microplastics are widely found throughout freshwater ecosystems and are known to be easily ingested by aquatic organisms. However, the impact of microplastics on freshwater birds is less well understood.
Dr Pablo Salmón, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow, said: “Overall, our findings highlight the widespread presence of microplastics in freshwater birds living near urban or agricultural landscapes. However, our findings also indicate no short-term effects of microplastics on nestling growth.
“Until now, most microplastic research has focused on larger seabirds or waterfowl. Our new study demonstrates that even small freshwater birds can ingest microplastics. Further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of microplastics on these birds and other freshwater wildlife.”
Colette Martin, first author of the study, said: “This highlights the importance of monitoring even small freshwater birds to understand environmental pollution and its potential effects.”
The study, ‘Microplastic exposure and body condition in White-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus) nestlings across anthropogenic landscapes in Scotland and the Basque Country (Spain)’ is published in Environmental Research.
Frankly one wonders if society wouldn’t have it any other way.
As humankind unravels DNA, creates AI, sends probes to the moon mars and beyond it beggars belief that our super technological society cannot develop alternatives to many of the plastics currently plaguing our planet.
How can we not create biodegradable materials not based on petroleum as opposed to materials based on biological polymer chains that will harmlessly break down.
All of that ubiquitous plastic wrapping that we throw away day in, day out. Where is the new world modern equivalent of greaseproof paper. The answer of course to that is the Big Plastic is the sister corporate of Big Oil. A classic example of big profit and who cares about the plague of petroleum based plastic pollution.
Net zero, the empty spin rhetoric of the regulatory captured political firmament who take the proverbial shilling from anyone as currently exposed by the display of the behaviors of Lord Mandelson and the Royal Andrew. Windsor ( And yes Mandelson IS still entitled to be called Lord and Andrew still IS the eighth in line to the throne )
But I digress. Plastic pollution could be curtailed at source but it isn’t. So eat your hearts out folks is I may cynically opine.
Big Oil rules!