Ingested elastic and other artifacts found in puffins in Britain over a 24-year period

Artifacts ingested by puffins (Fratercula arctica) nesting in Britain and Ireland between 1969 and 1992 were considered in relation to numbers of birds killed or found dead over this period. The artifacts ingested included elastic of various types, plastic granules, nylon, and other synthetic thread...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 1994, Vol.28 (1), p.54-55
Main Authors: Harris, M.P., Wanless, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Fratercula arctica
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
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Summary:Artifacts ingested by puffins (Fratercula arctica) nesting in Britain and Ireland between 1969 and 1992 were considered in relation to numbers of birds killed or found dead over this period. The artifacts ingested included elastic of various types, plastic granules, nylon, and other synthetic thread. The frequency of occurrence of artifacts in the stomachs of apparently healthy adults from the North sea colony on the Isle of May and in those found dead elsewhere showed no significant difference, suggesting that ingestion of elastic or other pollutants was not the cause of death. There was no evidence that ingested artifacts had a serious impact on puffin numbers on the Isle of May or elsewhere.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/0025-326X(94)90187-2