These studies reveal more than just ingestion. Plastic particles can leach harmful chemicals that accumulate in the birds’ tissues, potentially damaging internal organs and interfering with hormones.
In 2023, Bond and his team coined the term plasticosis to describe a condition in which plastic repeatedly abrades the stomach lining, causing chronic inflammation and scarring.
A Declining Population
Data suggests that the population of flesh-footed shearwaters on Lord Howe Island has declined in recent years, with plastic pollution playing a significant role.
Working with the University of Tasmania and the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.
Dr. Bond’s team is investigating contaminant levels in the birds’ blood and feathers, as well as signs of tissue damage and organ deterioration.
“The birds are expected to migrate thousands of kilometers, from Australia to Japan, after they fledge,” Dr. Bond said. “But with so much plastic in their system, many don’t survive the journey.”
