Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics
The global crisis of plastic pollution, particularly involving microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has profound ecological implications. Birds, serving as bioindicators, are especially susceptible to these pollutants. This systematic review synthesizes the current research on the presence, d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Birds |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6004/6/1/10 |
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| author | Lara Carrasco Eva Jiménez-Mora Maria J. Utrilla Inés Téllez Pizarro Marina M. Reglero Laura Rico-San Román Barbara Martin-Maldonado |
| author_facet | Lara Carrasco Eva Jiménez-Mora Maria J. Utrilla Inés Téllez Pizarro Marina M. Reglero Laura Rico-San Román Barbara Martin-Maldonado |
| author_sort | Lara Carrasco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The global crisis of plastic pollution, particularly involving microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has profound ecological implications. Birds, serving as bioindicators, are especially susceptible to these pollutants. This systematic review synthesizes the current research on the presence, distribution, and impact of MPs and NPs on avian species, alongside advancements in detection methodologies. MPs and NPs have been identified in over 200 bird species across 46 families, encompassing several ecosystems, from Antarctica to Labrador, including Australia, China, and South Europe. Seabirds such as penguins, gulls, and shearwaters exhibit a high burden of MPs in tissues and feces due to fishing debris, while terrestrial species face contamination from urban and agricultural sources. Depending on their composition, MPs can cause gastrointestinal damage, oxidative stress, and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, particularly polyethylene and polypropylene. However, challenges in detection persist due to methodological inconsistencies, though advances in spectroscopy and flow cytometry offer improved accuracy. Addressing this pollution is vital for bird conservation and ecosystem health, requiring international collaboration and standardized research protocols. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-88b4bfd6573b4d8eaaaae7c829c86c4c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-6004 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Birds |
| spelling | doaj-art-88b4bfd6573b4d8eaaaae7c829c86c4c2025-08-20T02:42:46ZengMDPI AGBirds2673-60042025-02-01611010.3390/birds6010010Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of MicroplasticsLara Carrasco0Eva Jiménez-Mora1Maria J. Utrilla2Inés Téllez Pizarro3Marina M. Reglero4Laura Rico-San Román5Barbara Martin-Maldonado6Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, SpainThe global crisis of plastic pollution, particularly involving microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has profound ecological implications. Birds, serving as bioindicators, are especially susceptible to these pollutants. This systematic review synthesizes the current research on the presence, distribution, and impact of MPs and NPs on avian species, alongside advancements in detection methodologies. MPs and NPs have been identified in over 200 bird species across 46 families, encompassing several ecosystems, from Antarctica to Labrador, including Australia, China, and South Europe. Seabirds such as penguins, gulls, and shearwaters exhibit a high burden of MPs in tissues and feces due to fishing debris, while terrestrial species face contamination from urban and agricultural sources. Depending on their composition, MPs can cause gastrointestinal damage, oxidative stress, and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, particularly polyethylene and polypropylene. However, challenges in detection persist due to methodological inconsistencies, though advances in spectroscopy and flow cytometry offer improved accuracy. Addressing this pollution is vital for bird conservation and ecosystem health, requiring international collaboration and standardized research protocols.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6004/6/1/10nanoplasticsavianplastic pollutionmarine debrisenvironmental statusbioaccessibility |
| spellingShingle | Lara Carrasco Eva Jiménez-Mora Maria J. Utrilla Inés Téllez Pizarro Marina M. Reglero Laura Rico-San Román Barbara Martin-Maldonado Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics Birds nanoplastics avian plastic pollution marine debris environmental status bioaccessibility |
| title | Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics |
| title_full | Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics |
| title_fullStr | Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics |
| title_short | Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics |
| title_sort | birds as bioindicators revealing the widespread impact of microplastics |
| topic | nanoplastics avian plastic pollution marine debris environmental status bioaccessibility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6004/6/1/10 |
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