Chloe Zhang
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world, and it is estimated that plastic ingestion will affect 99% of all seabird species by 2050. Seabirds often mistake plastic debris for prey, and as plastic breaks down in the ocean, it releases toxic chemicals that may be ingested by these birds. The plastic ingested by seabirds can remain in their gastrointestinal tract for months or years, causing health issues and even death. In addition to the ingestion of plastic, seabirds also face the threat of entanglement in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic ingestion | 59% of examined seabird species had ingested plastics |
| Plastic in the gut | Nearly one-third of studied individuals |
| Plastic in the ocean | 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the world's oceans every year |
| Plastic and seabird species | Over 180 seabird species are at risk |
| Plastic and injury/mortality | Plastic ingestion is a major cause of injury and mortality in some seabird species |
| Plastic and contaminants | The more plastic ingested, the higher the concentration of contaminants |
| Plastic and blood cells | Plastic ingestion affects red and white blood cell counts |
| Plastic and cholesterol | Plastic ingestion affects cholesterol levels in seabirds |
| Plastic and health | Seabirds are in decline, and plastics in the oceans are believed to be one cause |
| Plastic and entanglement | Abandoned fishing gear is one of the worst offenders when it comes to ensnaring marine life |
| Plastic and smell | Marine plastic debris smells like food to seabirds |
| Plastic and weight | Plastic is lightweight and is inadvertently consumed by Albatross species that feed by skimming the water surface |
| Plastic and location | Plastic can travel thousands of kilometres from its original location, reaching formerly safe island breeding colonies |
| Plastic and breakdown | Plastic breaks down into smaller, toxic bits that are still ingested by seabirds |
| Plastic and time | Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic ingestion — toxic chemicals leach into the bird's bloodstream
- Plastic's lightweight nature — albatrosses, in particular, feed by skimming the ocean's surface and inadvertently consume plastic
- Mistaking plastic for prey — plastic can resemble natural materials floating on the sea surface
- Entanglement — birds get stuck in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear
- Plastic's slow decomposition — plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, so the issue is here to stay
Plastic ingestion — toxic chemicals leach into the bird's bloodstream
Plastic ingestion is a significant cause for concern when it comes to seabird mortality. The threat of plastic ingestion to over 180 seabird species is rapidly increasing, with nearly one-third of studied individuals found to have plastics inside their guts. As plastic breaks down in the ocean, it releases toxic chemicals that leach into the surrounding water and are absorbed by algae and other sea plants. These toxins are then passed on to seabirds that consume them, either directly or by ingesting contaminated prey.
One of the most affected seabird species by plastic ingestion is the flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes). Studies of fledglings in Australia have shown a correlation between ingested plastic particles and increased concentrations of chromium and silver in their breast feathers. In addition, wild short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) from the North Pacific Ocean were found to have plastic particles in their stomachs, along with accumulated PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in their adipose tissue.
The accumulation of plastic in the oceans poses a significant threat to seabirds. As plastic breaks down, it can release toxic chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. These toxins can be absorbed by marine life, including shellfish and plankton, which are then consumed by seabirds, leading to toxic chemicals entering their bloodstream. The ingestion of plastic can also expose seabirds to chemicals like Bisphenol A, which has been linked to immunosuppression, respiratory distress, and skin and eye irritation in humans.
The impact of plastic ingestion on seabird populations is not limited to toxicity but also includes physical damage. Plastic debris in the ocean can be mistaken for prey by seabirds, leading to the ingestion of indigestible materials that can cause blockages and damage to their digestive systems. This physical damage can be severe and even lead to the death of the bird.
The increasing presence of plastic in the oceans is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. With predictions that plastic ingestion will affect 99% of all seabird species by 2050, it is essential to address this issue through reduced plastic use, recycling initiatives, and improved waste management practices.
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Plastic's lightweight nature — albatrosses, in particular, feed by skimming the ocean's surface and inadvertently consume plastic
Plastic is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world, and it is a particular problem for seabirds. The first observations of plastic pieces inside seabirds date back to the 1960s, and studies made between 1962 and 2012 revealed that 59% of examined seabird species had ingested plastics. Of these studied individuals, nearly a third (29%) had plastics inside their gut.
Albatrosses are especially vulnerable to plastic ingestion because of the way they feed. Albatrosses skim the ocean surface with their beaks to catch fish, squid, and other seafood. In doing so, they inadvertently consume plastic floating on the water's surface, mistaking it for prey. Laysan albatrosses, in particular, are known to feed their chicks plastic items, mistaking them for food. Chicks cannot regurgitate plastic like adults, so it fills up their stomachs and can cause injury or death.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic is lightweight and can be carried by winds and currents to remote locations, including island breeding colonies. This means that albatrosses and other seabirds can encounter plastic debris far from human populations, making it difficult to address the issue.
In addition to ingestion, entanglement in plastic waste is another way that seabirds can be harmed or killed. Abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, lines, and traps, can ensnare marine life, and it is estimated that around 27% of all marine litter consists of these items.
While the exact number of seabird deaths due to plastic pollution is challenging to determine, it is clear that plastic poses a significant and growing threat to these species.
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Mistaking plastic for prey — plastic can resemble natural materials floating on the sea surface
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic in the ocean. The first observations of plastic pieces inside seabirds date back to the 1960s, and studies conducted between 1962 and 2012 revealed that 59% of examined seabird species had ingested plastics, with nearly one-third of those birds having plastics inside their guts. This problem is only getting worse, with an estimated 99% of all seabird species expected to be affected by plastic ingestion by 2050.
One of the ways that plastic kills seabirds is through entanglement, with birds getting stuck in plastic waste. Another major cause of injury and mortality is plastic ingestion, which can lead to health problems and death. Plastic is inherently toxic, and as it breaks down in the ocean, it releases harmful chemicals that can be ingested by seabirds. The toxic effects of plastic ingestion can be direct, through the release of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, or indirect, through the accumulation of toxins in the food chain.
One of the main reasons seabirds ingest plastic is by mistaking it for prey. This can happen when plastic resembles natural materials floating on the sea surface. For example, albatross species often mistake plastic items for squid, one of their main sources of food. Albatross also eat flying fish eggs, which are laid on floating debris, and they may accidentally consume plastic along with the fish eggs. In addition, the smell of krill feeding on the algae that coats marine plastic debris is similar to natural scents that many seabirds follow when hunting for food, leading them to consume plastic.
The physical characteristics of plastic also contribute to seabirds mistaking it for prey. Plastic is lightweight and floats on the water surface, making it more likely to be consumed by seabirds that feed by skimming low over the water, such as albatross and shearwaters. In addition, some types of plastic have a similar appearance to natural materials. For example, Styrofoam and other spongy plastics have been observed to contain similar peckmarks to cuttlebones in the North Sea, which are a natural food source for seabirds.
The ingestion of plastic can have severe health consequences for seabirds. Studies have shown that even a few pieces of plastic can cause major health problems, including increased cholesterol levels. Plastic can also accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract for months or even years, leading to a prolonged release of toxins into the bloodstream. The impact of plastic ingestion on seabird populations is significant, and it is estimated that nearly every seabird on Earth is now eating plastic.
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Entanglement — birds get stuck in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world, and it is estimated that by 2050, 99% of all seabird species will have ingested plastic. Seabirds are declining faster than any other bird group, and plastics in the oceans are believed to be one of the main causes.
One of the ways in which plastic kills birds is through entanglement. Birds get stuck in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear. Around the world, 27% of all marine litter consists of lost nets, lines, and traps. This discarded equipment continues to catch wildlife in a phenomenon known as 'ghost fishing'. While data for the exact number of seabirds caught in this way is patchy, some reports estimate that one-fifth of all seabird species are affected by entanglement.
The problem is particularly acute in Queensland, Australia, where it is estimated that 35 crab traps are lost per boat per year for blue swimmer crab fishing alone. Plastic pollution has also reached the breeding colonies on remote Lord Howe Island, located 375 miles off the eastern coast of Australia. The flesh-footed shearwater, which breeds on the island, ingests more plastic as a proportion of its body mass than any other marine creature.
Albatross species are also particularly vulnerable to ingesting plastic. They feed by skimming low over the water and inadvertently consume plastic as a result. In addition, albatross often mistake plastic items for squid, one of their main foods.
To minimise the risk of plastic to birds, individuals can reduce their plastic use and recycle whatever plastic they do use.
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Plastic's slow decomposition — plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, so the issue is here to stay
Plastic is one of the greatest threats to wildlife around the world, and the threat of plastic ingestion to seabird species is rapidly increasing. The first observations of plastic pieces inside seabirds date back to the 1960s, and studies conducted between 1962 and 2012 revealed that 59% of examined seabird species had ingested plastics, with plastic found inside the guts of nearly one-third of these birds.
Plastic takes a long time to decompose, with some estimates suggesting that plastic bottles will only begin to break down after 500-700 years. Plastic bags will take even longer, with their decomposition process only beginning after a thousand years. Even then, the process will be very slow, and some plastics may last hundreds of years before they finally break down. This is because plastic does not exist in nature, and there are no naturally occurring organisms that can break it down effectively. The chemical bonds in plastic materials are not accessible or "familiar" to bacteria in nature, and these materials are called "xenobiotic".
As plastic breaks down, it releases damaging chemicals that may attract and harm seabirds. Degrading plastics release toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, which are toxic to birds, fish, and sea turtles that may unknowingly ingest them. As plastics degrade into smaller bits, they often become virtually invisible, but they remain harmful to wildlife.
The longevity of plastic in the environment means that the issue of plastic ingestion by seabirds is here to stay. Even if the introduction of new plastic into the ocean ceases, the existing plastic will remain a threat to seabirds for centuries. The persistence of plastic in the environment also means that the potential leaching time for additives or other harmful substances from plastic in the gastrointestinal tract of seabirds is long. This increases the risk of harm to seabirds that ingest plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Seabirds can die from plastic in several ways. Firstly, through entanglement, where birds get stuck in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear. Secondly, ingestion of plastic can cause death, as plastic is inherently toxic and releases harmful chemicals into the bloodstream. Plastic ingestion also increases cholesterol levels in seabirds and can cause physical damage.
While some birds have been found with stomachs full of plastic, most only eat a few pieces. Plastic debris is often mistaken for prey, especially by albatross species, which skim low over the water to feed and inadvertently consume plastic floating on the surface.
Everyday plastic items are the most dangerous to seabirds, including plastic stir-sticks, straws, plastic bottles and caps, Styrofoam, and cigarette lighters and butts.
Individuals can reduce their plastic use and recycle any plastic they do use. At a community level, changes in waste management practices can help, such as banning plastic bags and Styrofoam.
