Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics

Q2 Environmental Science

Environmental Challenges Pub Date : 2025-07-26 DOI:10.1016/j.envc.2025.101241

Pathissery John Sarlin , Sandie Morris , Savio Morris , Polycarp Joseph , Sancia Morris

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Abstract

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems poses growing ecological risks, particularly for piscivorous birds occupying higher trophic levels. This study assessed the ingestion and excretion patterns of microplastics (MPs) in two monotypic urban inland waterbird species, the Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) and the Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), from Alappuzha, Kerala, a densely populated region with high urban runoff. Five polymer types were identified through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, with polyethylene (28.8 %), polypropylene (22.2 %), and polystyrene (20.0 %) being the most abundant, reflecting local plastic waste profiles and bird foraging behavior. The presence of MPs in juvenile and adult individuals suggests potential age-independent exposure pathways and highlights their role as potential biovectors of synthetic debris and associated contaminants. The findings emphasize the need for localized conservation strategies and contribute baseline data for ecological risk assessments. This research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 6, 12, and 15, advocating for cleaner water systems, sustainable material use, and protection of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.

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城市水鸟转移微塑料

水生生态系统中的塑料污染造成越来越大的生态风险，特别是对营养等级较高的食鱼鸟类。本研究评估了印度鸬鹚（Phalacrocorax fuscicollis）和东方鲷鱼（Anhinga melanogaster）这两种单一的城市内陆水鸟对微塑料（MPs）的摄入和排泄模式。这两种鸟类来自喀拉拉邦阿拉普扎（Alappuzha），这是一个人口密集、城市径流高的地区。通过ATR-FTIR光谱鉴定出5种聚合物类型，其中聚乙烯（28.8%）、聚丙烯（22.2%）和聚苯乙烯（20.0%）含量最多，反映了当地塑料废物的分布和鸟类的觅食行为。青少年和成人中MPs的存在提示了潜在的与年龄无关的暴露途径，并强调了它们作为合成碎片和相关污染物的潜在生物载体的作用。研究结果强调了本地化保护策略的必要性，并为生态风险评估提供了基线数据。这项研究与可持续发展目标6、12和15相一致，倡导更清洁的水系统、可持续的材料利用以及保护陆地和水生生物多样性。

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