Traces of Plastic Found in Seabirds Nests, Endangering Chicks to Plastic Ingestion

North Highland College's Environmental Research Institute undertook a four-year project to monitor seabird populations.

They acquired information from observers who visited colonies in the northwest of Europe. Thousands of nests contained plastic trash, according to the researchers. The trash, according to the experts, might represent a severe hazard to seabirds.

Studying Seabird Nests

To investigate the direct consequences of plastic exposure, researchers gave plastic pellets to nesting chicks. As a result, plastic compounds were detected in the liver and fatty tissues of the birds at quantities hundreds of times greater than usual. Similar findings were discovered after wild seabirds, particularly albatrosses, were monitored.

According to the researchers, pollution is a "pervasive and rising hazard," with almost half of the world's seabird species in decline and 28% classified as internationally vulnerable.

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