Microplastic accumulation in various bird species in Turkey

Tatlı H. H., Parmaksız A., Uztemur A., Altunışık A.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY, cilt.2024, ss.1-10, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 2024
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Dergi Adı: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, Greenfile, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-10
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Plastic pollution constitutes one of the major environmental problems of our time, and in recent years, it has emerged as a significant threat to the environment and various organisms, including bird species. In this context, this study, which provides the first data in Turkey, aimed to determine the level of microplastic (MP) pollution in 12 bird species (Eurasian Buzzard; Short-toed Snake-eagle; White Stork; Northern Long-eared Owl; Common Barn-owl; Ruddy Shelduck; Eurasian Eagle-owl; Scarlet Macaw; Common Pheasant; Indian Peafowl; Common Kestrel and Gray Parrot). The results indicate that MPs were detected in 50% of the specimens (n=20), with an average of 1 MP/item per individual. With an average of three MPs per individual, the short-toed snake-eagle was found to be the species with the highest MP accumulation. Fibers (range: 51-534 µm) were the most common type of plastic found in the gastrointestinal tract of birds, with ethylene vinyl acetate and navy blue being the most common polymer type and color, respectively. It is also assessed that the abundance of MPs increases with the weight of specimens, contributing to the hypothesis that there is a correlation between the size/weight of animals and increased levels of MP accumulation. These findings highlight the impact of plastic pollution on birdlife and the need for further monitoring to assess the ecological impact of pollution.