The University of Alcalá, together with GREFA and the Autonomous University of Madrid, conducted a joint study which showed that in 75% of the birds examined remains of synthetic fibers and microplastics.
The Plastic pollution is a global problem. Most plastics end up in the natural environment as a result of the poor management we do with our waste. Plastics, once in the environment, slowly break down into smaller particles known as microplastics.
Loose Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters.. Their size allows them to move easily through nature. Currently we can consider them as almost ubiquitous pollutants, because they are present in many ecosystems, including in remote places. What is least known about, however, is the atmosphere.
Birds with microplastics in their bodies
The recent study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, carried out by researchers from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and the University of Alcalá (UAH) and members of the Group for the Rehabilitation of Indigenous Fauna and its Habitat (GREFA) of the EnviroPlaNet network, reveals the presence of microplastics and artificial fibers in two abundant bird species: the common martin (Delichon urbicum) and the swift (Apus apus).
The research team collected samples of deceased birds between 2021 and 2023. They identified using different techniquescharacterized and quantified microplastics and artificial fibers present in the digestive and respiratory systems of birds.
The findings indicated that a 75% of the birds analyzed showed the presence of microplastics. Polyester was the type microplastic the most commonly found and representing 48% of the identified particles, followed by acrylic fibers (28%) and polyethylene (18%).
The authors emphasize the usefulness of the birds selected for this study bioindicators to monitor microplastic pollution in the atmosphere. These birds spend most of their lives in flight and are constantly exposed to air pollution.
Following them after their deaths gives us very useful information about the microplastic pollutionthat would otherwise be impossible to obtain. To obtain comparable data, a sampler would have to be permanently suspended hundreds of meters above the ground, which is impractical.
The study concludes that these birds can provide this very valuable data on the distribution of microplastics and artificial fibers in the atmospherethus contributing to the assessment of plastic pollution from a One Health perspective (taking into account the health of the ecosystem, people and, as in this case, animals).
This evidence is really alarming, as microplastics present in these birds, they must have released their organism into the atmosphere due to their living habits, which gives us a clear indication of the very high level of pollution of these substances that the planet is suffering from.