Microplastics – Presence in Digestive System of Migratory Birds Reported

The abstract of a September 10, 2022 Science of The Total Environment article https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155827 by researchers with Loyola University Chicago “… examines the abundance and types of microplastic (MP) content in the digestive system of different bird species … The lower GI tracts of six bird species (Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrine), White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)) were collected for MP analysis … Results of plastic analysis showed that the lower GI tracts of all bird species contained different types of MPs (i.e., fibers, fragment, beads). Fiber was the most dominant … Microplastics were polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and polyvinyl base materials … Further study should be conducted to investigate the potential transfer of MPs from aquatic insects to birds …” #PlasticWaste #SingleUsePlastic #MicroPlastics @LoyolaChicago