Seabirds ingesting plastic pollution warn scientists

Seabirds were also found to be at risk of becoming entangled in pieces of plastic.

RSPB's Centre for Conservation Science also worked on the study, which has been published in the journal Environmental Pollution.

Dr Nina O'Hanlon, a seabird ecologist at the Environmental Research Institute, said: "The production of plastic continues to rise with millions of tons entering the oceans each year.

"Seabirds can ingest plastic, become entangled in it or incorporate it into their nests, causing impacts which may have negative consequences on reproduction and survival."

Most of the seabirds examined for a study of the effects of marine plastic pollution had swallowed plastic.

Researchers, including scientists from North Highland College UHI's Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, investigated 34 species.

They found 74% of them had ingested plastic.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-41333125