Ingestion of plastics by terrestrial small mammals
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In: Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 842, 156679, 10.10.2022.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 -