Scientists at the Environmental Research Institute of North Highland College led a four-year study to monitor seabird colonies. They collected data gathered by observers visiting colonies across the northwest of Europe. They found that thousands of nests contained plastic debris. The researchers warn that the waste could pose a severe threat to the seabirds.
The study examined 10,274 nests across the UK, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. 12% of them contained plastic debris.
They collected information from 84 colonies of 14 seabird species between 2016 and 2020. The most affected species were the Atlantic puffin, with 67% of their nests containing plastic.
Dr. Neil James, one of the scientists involved in the project which is a post-doctoral research associate at the Environmental Research Institute, said:
Marine plastic pollution is an increasing global environmental issue that poses a threat to marine biodiversity. Seabirds are particularly affected because of the risk of entanglement or ingestion.
Our study found that a significant number of nests included plastic debris, with some species more likely to incorporate it than others. Thus, as well as providing important information about our seabird populations, this type of study can also reveal valuable insights into the prevalence of plastic in the marine environment.
A previous study by a different team of researchers examined the influence that plastic has on birds. They found the material builds up in the animals’ bodies and that the chemicals from the plastic end up in their fatty tissues and liver at levels thousands of times greater than average.
It’s estimated that by 2050, 99% of seabirds will have consumed plastic waste. Usually, birds mistake the floating plastic with food, eat it, and either injure or die.
