Even on a remote island surrounded by an Australian Marine Park, Flesh-footed Shearwaters ingest so much plastic that scientists coined a new term to describe the resulting disease: plasticosis.
It’s estimated that eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year, and despite its lack of flavor or nutritional content, many seabirds confuse this plastic with food. The birds aren’t dying directly from plasticosis, but the disease affects their growth, nutrition, and overall health.
Dozens of seabird species are known to consume plastic, and researchers expect that tally to climb. Read on for more on this new disease and how plastic pollution affects birds’ bodies. |
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