Plastic occurrence in six different species of Arctic seabirds - Harmonizing methods and closing knowledge gaps on plastic occurrence and polymer identity

The once pristine Arctic is now facing negative alterations with a rapidly changing climate, increasing human activity, and plastic pollution. Seabirds are intrinsic to the marine ecosystems, and in recent years, plastic ingestion by seabirds has been of increasing concern because of the potential negative impact on individual and population levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the plastic occurrence and characterize the polymer identity of plastics found in six seabird species breeding in the Arctic. The study species were Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica), Common guillemots (Uria aalge), Razorbills (Alca torda), Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), European shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), and Glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus). We showed that the Atlantic puffins had a high frequency of occurrence of plastic and proved plastic ingestion for the first time in Glaucous gulls. No plastic was detected in the Common guillemots, Razorbills, Great cormorants, and European shags. Non-invasive methods to detect and measure plastic in seabirds should be further investigated, and research on the toxic effects from plastic exposure should be intensified. The study has proven to be valuable by providing new quantitative and qualitative data on plastic loading and polymer type reported in a standardized manner which can be used to establish a baseline for future research and monitoring of Arctic seabirds on a national and international level.Arctic, Seabirds, Atlantic puffin, Common guillemot, Razorbill, Great cormorant, European shag, Glaucous gull, Plastic, Plastic pollution, Plastic ingestion, Polymer profile, Polymer identification, FTIR

First documentation of plastic ingestion in the arctic glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Arctic wildlife is facing multiple stressors, including increasing plastic pollution. Seabirds are intrinsic to marine ecosystems, but most seabird populations are declining. We lack knowledge on plastic ingestion in many arctic seabird species, and there is an urgent need for more information to enable risk assessment and monitoring. Our study aimed to investigate the occurrence of plastics in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) breeding on Svalbard. The glaucous gull is a sentinel species for the health of the arctic marine ecosystem, but there have been no studies investigating plastic occurrence in this species since 1994. As a surface feeder and generalist living in an area with high human activity on Svalbard, we expected to find plastic in its stomach. We investigated for plastic >1 mm and documented plastic ingestion for the first time in glaucous gulls, with a frequency of occurrence of 14.3% (n = 21). The plastics were all identified as user plastics and consisted of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). Our study provides new quantitative and qualitative data on plastic burden and polymer type reported in a standardized manner establishing a reference point for future research and monitoring of arctic gulls on national and international levels. </p

First documentation of plastic ingestion in the arctic glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Arctic wildlife is facing multiple stressors, including increasing plastic pollution. Seabirds are intrinsic to marine ecosystems, but most seabird populations are declining. We lack knowledge on plastic ingestion in many arctic seabird species, and there is an urgent need for more information to enable risk assessment and monitoring. Our study aimed to investigate the occurrence of plastics in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) breeding on Svalbard. The glaucous gull is a sentinel species for the health of the arctic marine ecosystem, but there have been no studies investigating plastic occurrence in this species since 1994. As a surface feeder and generalist living in an area with high human activity on Svalbard, we expected to find plastic in its stomach. We investigated for plastic >1 mm and documented plastic ingestion for the first time in glaucous gulls, with a frequency of occurrence of 14.3% (n = 21). The plastics were all identified as user plastics and consisted of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). Our study provides new quantitative and qualitative data on plastic burden and polymer type reported in a standardized manner establishing a reference point for future research and monitoring of arctic gulls on national and international levels

First documentation of plastic ingestion in the arctic glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Arctic wildlife is facing multiple stressors, including increasing plastic pollution. Seabirds are intrinsic to marine ecosystems, but most seabird populations are declining. We lack knowledge on plastic ingestion in many arctic seabird species, and there is an urgent need for more information to enable risk assessment and monitoring. Our study aimed to investigate the occurrence of plastics in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) breeding on Svalbard. The glaucous gull is a sentinel species for the health of the arctic marine ecosystem, but there have been no studies investigating plastic occurrence in this species since 1994. As a surface feeder and generalist living in an area with high human activity on Svalbard, we expected to find plastic in its stomach. We investigated for plastic >1 mm and documented plastic ingestion for the first time in glaucous gulls, with a frequency of occurrence of 14.3% (n = 21). The plastics were all identified as user plastics and consisted of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). Our study provides new quantitative and qualitative data on plastic burden and polymer type reported in a standardized manner establishing a reference point for future research and monitoring of arctic gulls on national and international levels