Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics
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 (Phalacroc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Environmental Challenges |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266701002500160X |
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| author | Pathissery John Sarlin Sandie Morris Savio Morris Polycarp Joseph Sancia Morris |
| author_facet | Pathissery John Sarlin Sandie Morris Savio Morris Polycarp Joseph Sancia Morris |
| author_sort | Pathissery John Sarlin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2712f8c733194b4690a4bc2bb7cd58d6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2667-0100 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Challenges |
| spelling | doaj-art-2712f8c733194b4690a4bc2bb7cd58d62025-08-20T03:57:58ZengElsevierEnvironmental Challenges2667-01002025-09-012010124110.1016/j.envc.2025.101241Urban waterbirds shifting microplasticsPathissery John Sarlin0Sandie Morris1Savio Morris2Polycarp Joseph3Sancia Morris4PG and Research Department of Zoology, Fatima Mata National College (Autonomous), University of Kerala, Kollam, IndiaKollam Birding Battalion, Kollam, Kerala, India; Corresponding author.Kollam Birding Battalion, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaKollam Birding Battalion, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaInstitute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, IOC Bhuvneshwar Odisha, IndiaPlastic 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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266701002500160XWetland birdsUrban ecosystemsPlasticPollutionFecal analysisBiovectors |
| spellingShingle | Pathissery John Sarlin Sandie Morris Savio Morris Polycarp Joseph Sancia Morris Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics Environmental Challenges Wetland birds Urban ecosystems Plastic Pollution Fecal analysis Biovectors |
| title | Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| title_full | Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| title_fullStr | Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| title_short | Urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| title_sort | urban waterbirds shifting microplastics |
| topic | Wetland birds Urban ecosystems Plastic Pollution Fecal analysis Biovectors |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266701002500160X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pathisseryjohnsarlin urbanwaterbirdsshiftingmicroplastics AT sandiemorris urbanwaterbirdsshiftingmicroplastics AT saviomorris urbanwaterbirdsshiftingmicroplastics AT polycarpjoseph urbanwaterbirdsshiftingmicroplastics AT sanciamorris urbanwaterbirdsshiftingmicroplastics |