PLASTIC INGESTION IN NORTHERN FULMARS (FULMARUS GLACIALIS) CAPTURED IN FISHERIES

Abstract

Ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris around the world and the ingestion by seabirds is a growing environmental concern. As part of an international collaboration between Korea Ministry of Fisheries and the US Department of Commerce, we are investing if plastic debris ingested by marine organisms can transfer plastic-associated chemicals such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and UV stabilizers to wildlife. We chose to examine northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) due to their known ingestion of plastic debris. Fulmars that were incidentally caught in nine North Pacific fishery cruises were examined for plastic ingestion. As well, liver and samples fat were removed and frozen at -80 oC for later analysis to include plastic associated chemicals. Of the 43 birds, 27 had plastics in the digestive tract ranging from a single piece to 20 pieces and 0.0012 g to 1.95 g. The majority were post-consumer fragments (68 %) followed by fibers (20 %), pellets (8.6 %) and film (3.4 %). Polymer types of the ingested plastics were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Polyethylene dominated with 73 % of the pieces and the rest were polypropylene (26 %) and nylon (0.6 %). Chemical contaminants will be examined in the fat and liver samples and correlated to amount of the ingested plastics and chemicals associated with them this summer.