Abstract
A sample of 145 stomachs from fulmars hunted 100 km ofshore east Greenland 64° 30′ N in early June 2015 was analysed
for abundance of plastic litter. Overall, 86% of the stomachs contained plastics with an average of 13.5 particles, and 0.14 g
per stomach. A proportion of 42% of the stomachs exceeded the level of 0.1 g plastic, whereas the international policy target
aims at a reduction to less than 10%. The observed quantity of ingested plastic fts a pattern of reduced plastic abundance at
higher latitudes, at greater distance from densely populated and industrialised areas. A subsample of 20 fulmars of known
age and sex indicated that young birds contained more plastic than adults, and females more than males. Indirect evidence
from age and sex composition in the full sample supported these fndings. Further confrmation was found in literature and
by re-analysis of earlier datasets. Diferences in colony attendance could explain the combined efects of age, sex, and possibly season on plastic abundance in the stomachs. With a consistent monitoring sampling regime, such variations do not
impair the results, but for evaluation of regional patterns from incidental observations or the planning of new monitoring
schemes they are important.
for abundance of plastic litter. Overall, 86% of the stomachs contained plastics with an average of 13.5 particles, and 0.14 g
per stomach. A proportion of 42% of the stomachs exceeded the level of 0.1 g plastic, whereas the international policy target
aims at a reduction to less than 10%. The observed quantity of ingested plastic fts a pattern of reduced plastic abundance at
higher latitudes, at greater distance from densely populated and industrialised areas. A subsample of 20 fulmars of known
age and sex indicated that young birds contained more plastic than adults, and females more than males. Indirect evidence
from age and sex composition in the full sample supported these fndings. Further confrmation was found in literature and
by re-analysis of earlier datasets. Diferences in colony attendance could explain the combined efects of age, sex, and possibly season on plastic abundance in the stomachs. With a consistent monitoring sampling regime, such variations do not
impair the results, but for evaluation of regional patterns from incidental observations or the planning of new monitoring
schemes they are important.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 45 |
| Pages (from-to) | 34-45 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Marine biology |
| Volume | 169 |
| Issue number | 45 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Fulmarus glacialis
- Plastic ingestion
- Regional pattern
- Sample composition
- Latitude
- Age
- Sex
- Season
- Colony attendance
- Greenland