Plastic ingestion in aquatic-associated bird species in southern Portugal

Nicastro, Katy R.; Savio, R. Lo; McQuaid, Christopher D.; Madeira, Pedro M; Valbusa, U.; Azevedo, Fábia; Casero, María; Lourenço, Carla R.; Zardi, Gerardo I.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.050

Cited by 34 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Consequently, it is not surprising that fibres were the predominant form of microplastic found in digestive tracts of fish, such as chubs (Squalius spp.) (Collard et al 2015), which is one of the main genus (in juvenile stage) composing the diet of the kingfisher from the Ticino River (Nessi 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hereby, we used an integrated approach relying on a preliminary visual inspection and the further application of two different analytical techniques, namely micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Previous studies already stressed the importance of spectroscopic techniques in plastic monitoring studies as they are critical in avoiding misidentification of natural items for synthetic polymers (Nicastro et al 2018 ; Wesch et al 2016 ). In particular, when analysing small plastic items such as microplastic fibres which can be easily mistaken for cotton fibre and vice versa, thus, the objectives of the present study were (i) to provide information on the presence of plastic in pellets from a freshwater, fish-predatory bird; (ii) to highlight the necessity of using analytical methods for plastic identification and especially high-resolution techniques; and (iii) to investigate the spatial variation of pellets containing microplastics along the length of the Ticino River.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Occurrence of microplastics in pellets from the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) along the Ticino River, North Italy

Winkler

Nessi

Antonioli

et al. 2020

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Previous research has reported avian plastic ingestion in marine bird species. Yet, while research attention on plastic pollution is shifting from marine to freshwater ecosystems, very few information on plastic ingestion is available for freshwater birds. Here, we examined the presence of microplastic in regurgitated pellets of the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) collected along the Ticino River (North Italy). In total, 133 kingfisher’s pellets were examined between March and October 2019 from 54 transects along the river. Plastic elements were detected and identified by visual inspection followed by μ-FTIR and SEM-EDS. Overall, we found 12 (micro)plastics from at least three different polymers in 7.5% of the pellets. This study provides the first report of plastic uptake of this bird species. It highlights the importance of spectroscopic techniques in plastic monitoring studies in order to avoid misidentification of items found. Documenting the presence of plastic ingestion by top carnivores such as fish-eating birds is necessary to understand the pervasiveness and impact of (micro)plastic pollution in food webs of freshwater ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of microplastics in pellets from the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) along the Ticino River, North Italy

Winkler

Nessi

Antonioli

et al. 2020

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…The ecological risk posed by discarded plastic has been intensively studied in the past decade and is now broadly understood by the public [ 127 ]. Individual animals are harmed by ingesting plastic packaging [ 128 , 129 ] and by becoming entangled in plastic packaging. A familiar and vivid example is that of water birds and turtles entangled in six-pack beverage holders [ 130 ].…”

Section: Harms Relevant To Food Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Harms and Food Production: Informing Ethical Choices

Hampton

Hyndman

Allen

et al. 2021

Animals

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Ethical food choices have become an important societal theme in post-industrial countries. Many consumers are particularly interested in the animal welfare implications of the various foods they may choose to consume. However, concepts in animal welfare are rapidly evolving towards consideration of all animals (including wildlife) in contemporary approaches such as “One Welfare”. This approach requires recognition that negative impacts (harms) may be intentional and obvious (e.g., slaughter of livestock) but also include the under-appreciated indirect or unintentional harms that often impact wildlife (e.g., land clearing). This is especially true in the Anthropocene, where impacts on non-human life are almost ubiquitous across all human activities. We applied the “harms” model of animal welfare assessment to several common food production systems and provide a framework for assessing the breadth (not intensity) of harms imposed. We considered all harms caused to wild as well as domestic animals, both direct effects and indirect effects. We described 21 forms of harm and considered how they applied to 16 forms of food production. Our analysis suggests that all food production systems harm animals to some degree and that the majority of these harms affect wildlife, not livestock. We conclude that the food production systems likely to impose the greatest overall breadth of harms to animals are intensive animal agriculture industries (e.g., dairy) that rely on a secondary food production system (e.g., cropping), while harvesting of locally available wild plants, mushrooms or seaweed is likely to impose the least harms. We present this conceptual analysis as a resource for those who want to begin considering the complex animal welfare trade-offs involved in their food choices.

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“…It is important to highlight that around 4.7 million tourists visit this coastal region every year [19]. Diverse studies have reported the presence of marine litter on the sea floor [20] and beaches [21], as well as in the stomachs of aquatic birds [22].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Litter on the Coast of the Algarve: Main Sources and Distribution Using a Modeling Approach

Rosas

Martins

Janeiro

2021

JMSE

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The accumulation of floating marine litter poses a serious threat to the global environment and the economy all over the world, particularly of coastal municipalities that rely on tourism and recreational activities. Data of marine litter is thus crucial, but is usually limited, and can be complemented with modelling results. In this study, the operational modelling system of Algarve (SOMA) was combined with a Lagrangian particle-tracking model and blended with scarce litter monitoring data, to provide first insights into the distribution and accumulation of floating marine litter on the Algarve coast. Different meteo-oceanographic conditions, sources regions and wind drift behaviors were considered. Field data and model results show a considerable concentration of marine litter along the beaches and coastal regions. The model also suggests that oceanographic conditions and wind drift have a great influence on the transport and accumulation rate of the floating marine litter on the coast, with the highest rates of accumulation during the winter and the counter current period, concentrated mostly on the south-western coast of the Algarve.

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Plastic ingestion in aquatic-associated bird species in southern Portugal

Cited by 34 publications

References 37 publications

Occurrence of microplastics in pellets from the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) along the Ticino River, North Italy

Occurrence of microplastics in pellets from the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) along the Ticino River, North Italy

Animal Harms and Food Production: Informing Ethical Choices

Marine Litter on the Coast of the Algarve: Main Sources and Distribution Using a Modeling Approach

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