Microplastics Found in Many Louisiana Waterfowl
Microplastics in the environment have emerged as a pressing global concern, and preliminary findings on the presence of microplastics in Louisiana waterfowl are equally worrying.
“About half the birds we’ve studied contain microplastics” said Terri Maness, professor of environmental science at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Her research project – titled Microplastic Ingestion by Waterfowl in Louisiana – is funded by Louisiana Sea Grant.
The consumption of microplastics by native and migratory waterfowl may have detrimental ecological consequences, as well as pose risks to human health when these birds are eaten. Furthermore, the accumulation of microplastics may compromise the well-being of waterfowl populations and impact species’ survival rates.
Louisiana hunters have donated 1,200 birds from 17 different species of waterfowl to the project, both dabbling birds, also known as puddle ducks, and diving birds, which plunge into the water for prey.
Of the 50 birds studied to date, 58 percent had microplastic in their gastrointestional (GI) tract. If microplastics were present – regardless of type of microplastic – the birds also had fibers – clothing or fishing line – in their GI tract. Twenty-four percent had microplastic fragments; 27.6 percent had films, 10.3 percent had foam and 3.4 percent had nurdles (pre-consumer plastic beads) in their GI tract. One donated woodcock contained plastic birdshot.
Maness also observed that dabbler species, which spend time on the water’s surface or nearby soil in search of prey, exhibited slightly higher levels of microplastic ingestion compared to species that dive for food.
“Elevated microplastic concentrations hinder the waterfowl’s ability to absorb essential nutrients,” said Maness. Her research team observed a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of microplastics found in the birds’ GI tracts and their percentage of visceral fat, the final fat reserve utilized during a stage of starvation.
Maness has several birds remaining to study, but preliminary findings indicate a harmful correlation between microplastics and compromised ecosystems.