Contaminants in northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) exposed to plastic

• Main Authors: Ask, A., Anker-Nilssen, T., Herzke, D., Trevail, Alice, van Franeker, J.A., Gabrielsen, G.W.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Nordic Council of Ministers 2016
• Subjects: Life Science; Fulmar; Fulmarus glacialis; Northern Fulmar
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/contaminants-in-northern-fulmars-fulmarus-glacialis-exposed-to-pl; https://doi.org/10.6027/TN2016-543

Northern fulmars are seabirds which feed exclusively at sea, and as such, they are useful indicators of ocean health. Marine plastic pollution is an ever-increasing and global issue that affects the northern fulmar as they are frequently found to have ingested plastic. In this report we investigate whether the amount of ingested plastic affects the concentration of certain plastic-adsorbed toxicants in their tissues. Marine plastic pollution is a field of utmost importance. It is our hope that this continues to be an area which receives increased attention in order to elucidate the potential harmful effects plastics have on the northern fulmar and ocean health, in general.