Prey choice and ingestion of microplastics by common shelducks and common eiders in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site

A comprehensive study of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site reveals that both common shelducks and common eiders frequently ingest microplastics, with plastic debris detected in over 90% of stomach samples and around 80% of fecal samples for both species. The research, which analyzed 42 eider carcasses, 120 fecal samples from eiders, 20 shelduck carcasses, and 98 fecal samples from shelducks, found that these birds primarily feed on small mollusks such as common cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and mud snails (Peringia ulvae), with notable differences in their dietary preferences between intertidal and subtidal zones. The study also highlighted a significant presence of brightly colored microplastic filaments, predominantly less than 5 mm in size, suggesting widespread contamination of marine food webs by plastic debris. This finding underscores the urgent need to address microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, particularly within protected areas like the Wadden Sea.

Bange, A., Backes, A., Garthe, S., & Schwemmer, P. (2023). Prey choice and ingestion of microplastics by common shelducks and common eiders in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. Marine Biology, 170(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04201-8