Seabirds Threatened by Massive Swirls of Plastic Waste
Plastic pollution has become a major threat to seabirds, putting their lives at risk and impacting the marine ecosystem. A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals the alarming impact of plastic on these birds.
When birds mistake smaller pieces of plastic for food, they ingest them, leading to serious consequences. Additionally, they consume plastic through their food sources, such as fish and crustaceans, that have ingested microplastics. The chemicals present in plastic can poison the birds, and the accumulation of plastic in their digestive systems can cause constipation, ultimately leading to their death.
The situation is particularly dire in areas where plastic accumulates in large quantities, often due to ocean currents. The study highlights several regions where seabirds are most at risk. The massive plastic eddy between Hawaii and California in the eastern Pacific Ocean, stretching over 1,600,000 square kilometers, poses a significant threat. Most of the plastic in this vortex comes from China and other East Asian countries.
The Mediterranean Sea and the southern Atlantic, between South Africa and south-eastern South America, are also identified as high-risk areas with large concentrations of plastic. Seabirds in these regions are particularly vulnerable.
To determine which species face the greatest danger, researchers tracked 7,137 individual birds from 77 species using different types of transmitters. They assessed the extent to which these birds forage in the worst plastic eddies, considering other factors that already threaten these species.
Among the most endangered species are the Balearic puffin from the western Mediterranean and the Hawaiian puffin from Hawaii. Both species are already under acute threat. The Hawaiian petrel, the Mediterranean petrel, and the cook petrel, native to islands off New Zealand, also face significant risks as they predominantly search for food in plastic-filled waters. These species play vital roles in the marine ecosystem, even though they might not be well-known to the general public.
However, there are areas with lower plastic concentrations, such as the Humboldt Current off Western South America, the Canary Current off West Africa, and the polar regions. Seabirds in these regions are not as threatened as those in the highly exposed areas.
Seabirds encompass around 300 species, including penguins, albatrosses, petrels, and cormorants. Their diet mainly consists of fish, crustaceans, and squid. The devastating impact of plastic on these birds emphasizes the urgent need for global action to reduce plastic waste and protect marine ecosystems.
Source: Nature Communications, Birdlife International