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Ingested plastic as a route for trace metals in Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and Bonin petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) from Midway Atoll
Citation
Lavers, JL and Bond, AL, Ingested plastic as a route for trace metals in Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and Bonin petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) from Midway Atoll, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 110, (1) pp. 493-500. ISSN 0025-326X (2016) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.001
Abstract
Seabirds are declining faster than any other group of birds, with plastic ingestion and associated contaminants linked to negative impacts on marine wildlife, including > 170 seabird species. To provide quantitative data on the effects of plastic pollution, we sampled feathers and stomach contents from Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) on Midway Atoll, North Pacific Ocean, and assessed our ability to detect change over time by synthesizing previous studies. Between 25 and 100% of fledglings exceed international targets for plastic ingestion by seabirds. High levels of ingested plastic were correlated with increased concentrations of chlorine, iron, lead, manganese, and rubidium in feathers. The frequency of plastic ingestion by Laysan Albatross and concentration of some elements in both species is increasing, suggesting deterioration in the health of the marine environment. Variability in the frequency of plastic ingestion by Laysan Albatross may limit their utility as an indicator species.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | plastic pollution, marine debris, trace metals, North Pacific Gyre, indicator species, ingested plastic, marine pollution, trace metals |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Conservation and biodiversity |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Lavers, JL (Dr Jennifer Lavers) |
ID Code: | 109545 |
Year Published: | 2016 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 38 |
Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
Deposited On: | 2016-06-22 |
Last Modified: | 2018-04-13 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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