The prevalence and source of plastic incorporated into nests of five seabird species on a small offshore island

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:154

Article

Thompson, Danielle L.¹  Ovenden, Thomas S.²  Pennycott, Tom³  Nager, Ruedi G.¹ 

[1] Univ Glasgow, IBAHCM, Graham Kerr Bldg, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Lanark, Scotland

[2] Univ Stirling, Sch Nat Sci, Biol & Environm Sci, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland

[3] Browncarrick Dr, Ayr KA7 4JA, Scotland

关键词: Plastic ingestion;    Nest-building;    North Atlantic;    Marine debris;    Plastic pollution;    Litter;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111076

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

There is little evidence documenting the prevalence of plastic nest incorporation for different seabird species and populations, and even less detailing the source of such debris as nesting material. This study presents a baseline dataset on the presence of plastic in the nests of five seabird species on Lady Isle, Scotland using a novel and repeatable methodology for quantifying plastic incorporated into nests. Plastic was found in 24.5% to 80% of nests of all species. We analysed pellets of regurgitated material and the spatial distribution of herring gull nests containing plastic in the context of the tide and nesting habitat. Differences in the types of plastic found in pellets and nests suggests that plastic incorporated into herring gull nests was not derived at foraging sites and likely collected from the local environment. Targeted beach cleans before the breeding season could help minimise the quantity of plastic available to herring gulls.

【 授权许可】

Free