Clinical Pathology of Plastic Ingestion in Marine Birds and Relationships with Blood Chemistry

Lavers, Jennifer L.; Hutton, I.; Bond, Alexander L.

doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b02098

Cited by 96 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Fish are likely key vectors in the vertical and horizontal movement of plastic in the ocean, and may accumulate sublethal physical and chemical effects from ingested plastic (Lavers et al, 2019; Rochman et al, 2013), yet the impacts of plastic debris on marine communities and ecosystems are still mostly unknown (Bucci et al, 2020). Current evidence for humans ingesting plastic directly from fish remains scant, but there is growing concern (Barboza et al, 2018; Carbery et al, 2018; Lusher et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

Savoca

McInturf

Hazen

2021

Global Change Biology

177

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Plastic pollution has pervaded almost every facet of the biosphere, yet we lack an understanding of consumption risk by marine species at the global scale. To address this, we compile data from research documenting plastic debris ingestion by marine fish, totaling 171,774 individuals of 555 species. Overall, 386 marine fish species have ingested plastic debris including 210 species of commercial importance. However, 148 species studied had no records of plastic consumption, suggesting that while this evolutionary trap is widespread, it is not yet universal. Across all studies that accounted for microplastics, the incidence rate of plastic ingested by fish was 26%. Over the last decade this incidence has doubled, increasing by 2.4 ± 0.4% per year. This is driven both by increasing detection of smaller sized particles as a result of improved methodologies, as well as an increase in fish consuming plastic. Further, we investigated the role of geographic, ecological, and behavioral factors in the ingestion of plastic across species. These analyses revealed that the abundance of plastic in surface waters was positively correlated to plastic ingestion. Demersal species are more likely to ingest plastic in shallow waters; in contrast, pelagic species were most likely to consume plastic below the mixed layer. Mobile predatory species had the highest likelihood to ingest plastic; similarly, we found a positive relationship between trophic level and plastic ingestion. We also find evidence that surface ingestion‐deep sea egestion of microplastics by mesopelagic myctophids is likely a key mechanism for the export of microplastics from the surface ocean to the seafloor, a sink for marine debris. These results elucidate the role of ecology and biogeography underlying plastic ingestion by marine fish and point toward species and regions in urgent need of study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

Savoca

McInturf

Hazen

2021

Global Change Biology

177

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“…During this time, microbial diversity and metabolic functions (i.e., lipid metabolism and glycolysis) were significantly altered. In wild‐caught flesh‐footed shearwaters ( Ardenna carneipes ), an endangered seabird in Australia, Lavers et al () observed a correlation between blood chemistry parameters (lowered blood calcium, heightened uric acid, cholesterol, and amylase) and reduced morphometrics (reduced body mass, wing length, culmen, and head + bill length) with the incidence of ingested plastic.…”

Section: Microplastic Uptake and Consequences In Biotamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

733

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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“…The presence of such items in bird nests can later result in the entanglement or ingesting by the chicks (or the parents), compromising nutritional requirements and development ( Tavares et al, 2016 ). Ingestion (even of relatively low quantities) of plastic debris by seabird Ardenna carneipes induced a significant negative effect on bird morphometrics and blood calcium levels, along with an increment in the uric acid, cholesterol, and amylase concentrations ( Lavers et al, 2019 ), revealing that it may have a negative impact on fitness. The presence of plastic waste in the nest's structure could also alter thermal and drainage properties, influencing reproductive success ( Thompson et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Disposable Masks Can Directly Threaten Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Risks of Covid-19 face masks to wildlife: Present and future research needs

Silva

Prata

Mouneyrac

et al. 2021

Science of The Total Environment

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The use of disposable face masks became essential to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an unprecedented rise in their production and, unfortunately, to a new form of environmental contamination due to improper disposal. Recent publications reported the abundance of COVID-19-related litter in several environments, wildlife interaction with such items, and the contaminants that can be released from such protective equipment that has the potential to induce ecotoxicological effects. This paper provides a critical review of COVID-19 face mask occurrence in diverse environments and their adverse physiological and ecotoxicological effects on wildlife. It also outlines potential remediation strategies to mitigate the environmental challenge impose by COVID-19-related litter.

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Clinical Pathology of Plastic Ingestion in Marine Birds and Relationships with Blood Chemistry

Cited by 96 publications

References 63 publications

Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Risks of Covid-19 face masks to wildlife: Present and future research needs

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