RT Journal Article
T1 The potential use of birds as bioindicators of suspended atmospheric microplastics and artificial fibers
A1 Wayman, Chloe
A1 Fernández Piñas, Francisca
A1 Fernández Valeriano, Rocío
A1 Anibarro García-Baquero, Gonzalo
A1 López Márquez, Irene
A1 González González, Fernando
A1 Rosal, Roberto
A1 González Pleiter, Miguel
AB Microplastics (MPs) and artificial fibers (AFs) have been detected suspended tens of meters above ground level in the atmosphere, yet empirical data on them remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the presence of MPs and AFs in the digestive and respiratory systems of two abundant bird species, the Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum) and the Common Swift (Apus apus), within the Community of Madrid, Spain. Given that these birds spend the majority of their lives airborne, engaging in activities such as mating and sleeping during flight, the research sought to assess the potential of using these bird species as bioindicators for suspended atmospheric MPs and AFs. Samples were obtained from necropsies of birds (N = 24) collected primarily between spring and summer from 2021 to 2023. Only individuals that died within the initial 24-hour period and had not been fed were selected for examination to avoid contamination. MPs and AFS were identified by micro-FTIR, characterized and quantified. Results revealed that 75 % of the sampled birds exhibited at least one MPs in their respiratory and/or digestive system. All identified MPs were fibers, with polyester (PES) being the most predominant (48 %), followed by acrylic fibers (ACR; 28 %), and polyethylene (PE; 18 %). The average concentrations in the respiratory system were 1.12 ± 0.45 MPs/specimen and 2.78 ± 1.04 AFs/specimen for Common Swift and 0.75 ± 0.30 MPs/specimen and 0.75 ± 0.36 AFs/specimen for House Martin. In the digestive system, these were 1.92 ± 0.72 MPs/specimen and 3.42 ± 0.69 AFs/specimen for Common Swift, and 1.34 ± 0.50 MPs/specimen and 1.39 ± 0.47 AFs/specimen for House Martin. Birds collected areas with high population density located in the direction of the prevailing winds showed a concentration of MPs significantly higher in the digestive system. Taken together, these findings confirmed the potential use of these birds as bioindicators for monitoring of suspended atmospheric MPs and AFs.
PB Elsevier
SN 0147-6513
YR 2024
FD 2024-07-16
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/107969
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/107969
LA eng
NO Chloe Wayman, Francisca Fernández-Piñas, Rocío Fernández-Valeriano, Gonzalo Anibarro García-Baquero, Irene López-Márquez, Fernando González-González, Roberto Rosal, Miguel González-Pleiter, The potential use of birds as bioindicators of suspended atmospheric microplastics and artificial fibers, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 282, 2024, 116744, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116744.
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
NO Plastics Europe
NO Enviroplanet
DS Docta Complutense
RD 11 abr 2025