Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals

Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

StandardStandard

Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals. / Thrift, Emily; Porter, Adam; Galloway, Tamara et al.
Yn: Science of the Total Environment, Cyfrol 842, 156679, 10.10.2022.

Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

HarvardHarvard

Thrift, E, Porter, A, Galloway, T, Coomber, F & Mathews, F 2022, 'Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals', Science of the Total Environment, cyfrol. 842, 156679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

APA

Thrift, E., Porter, A., Galloway, T., Coomber, F., & Mathews, F. (2022). Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals. Science of the Total Environment, 842, Erthygl 156679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

CBE

Thrift E, Porter A, Galloway T, Coomber F, Mathews F. 2022. Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals. Science of the Total Environment. 842:Article 156679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

MLA

Thrift, Emily et al. "Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals". Science of the Total Environment. 2022. 842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

VancouverVancouver

Thrift E, Porter A, Galloway T, Coomber F, Mathews F. Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals. Science of the Total Environment. 2022 Hyd 10;842:156679. Epub 2022 Meh 14. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

Author

Thrift, Emily ; Porter, Adam ; Galloway, Tamara et al. / Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals. Yn: Science of the Total Environment. 2022 ; Cyfrol 842.

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals

AU - Thrift, Emily

AU - Porter, Adam

AU - Galloway, Tamara

AU - Coomber, Frazer

AU - Mathews, Fiona

PY - 2022/10/10

Y1 - 2022/10/10

N2 - The exposure of wildlife to waste plastic is widely recognised as an issue for aquatic ecosystems but very little is known about terrestrial systems. Here, we addressed the hypothesis that UK small mammals are ingesting plastics by examining faecal samples for the presence of plastic using micro Fourier Transform infrared microscopy. Plastic polymers were detected in four out of the seven species examined (European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus); field vole (Microtus agrestis); brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)). Ingestion occurred across species of differing dietary habits (herbivorous, insectivorous and omnivorous) and locations (urban versus non-urban). Densities excreted were comparable with those reported in human studies.The prevalence of confirmed plastics in the 261 faecal samples was 16.5 % (95 % CI 13 %, 22 %). Most (70 %) of the 60 plastic fragments were <1 mm (microplastics). Polyester, likely to be derived from textiles, accounted for 27 % of the fragments and was found in all plastic-positive species except for the wood mouse. The high prevalence of polyester in terrestrial ecosystems was unexpected and suggests that evaluation is needed of practices likely to transfer this plastic into the environment (such as sewage sludge application to farmland). Polynorbornene, which is likely to be derived from tyre wear, and polyethylene were also commonly detected polymers. ‘Biodegradable’ plastics formed 27 % (n = 12) of the particles found in wild mammal faeces, warranting further research to assess their persistence in the environment.

AB - The exposure of wildlife to waste plastic is widely recognised as an issue for aquatic ecosystems but very little is known about terrestrial systems. Here, we addressed the hypothesis that UK small mammals are ingesting plastics by examining faecal samples for the presence of plastic using micro Fourier Transform infrared microscopy. Plastic polymers were detected in four out of the seven species examined (European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus); field vole (Microtus agrestis); brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)). Ingestion occurred across species of differing dietary habits (herbivorous, insectivorous and omnivorous) and locations (urban versus non-urban). Densities excreted were comparable with those reported in human studies.The prevalence of confirmed plastics in the 261 faecal samples was 16.5 % (95 % CI 13 %, 22 %). Most (70 %) of the 60 plastic fragments were <1 mm (microplastics). Polyester, likely to be derived from textiles, accounted for 27 % of the fragments and was found in all plastic-positive species except for the wood mouse. The high prevalence of polyester in terrestrial ecosystems was unexpected and suggests that evaluation is needed of practices likely to transfer this plastic into the environment (such as sewage sludge application to farmland). Polynorbornene, which is likely to be derived from tyre wear, and polyethylene were also commonly detected polymers. ‘Biodegradable’ plastics formed 27 % (n = 12) of the particles found in wild mammal faeces, warranting further research to assess their persistence in the environment.

U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156679

M3 - Article

VL - 842

JO - Science of the Total Environment

JF - Science of the Total Environment

SN - 0048-9697

M1 - 156679

ER -