Plastic ingestion by a generalist seabird on the coast of Uruguay

Abstract We analyzed plastic ingestion by Kelp Gull ( Larus dominicanus ) from 806 pellets collected between 2011 and 2013. Employing a Raman spectroscopy, we characterized those polymers used to produce the plastics ingested. Debris was recorded in 143 pellets (%FO = 17.7%, n = 202, 92.58 g). Plastic was found in 119 pellets (%FO = 83%) and non-plastic occurred in 56 pellets (%FO = 39%). The most important debris category was plastic film with 55.3% (n = 79). Plastic bags were observed in 19 pellets (%FO = 2.4%, weight = 25.02 g). Glass was the second most important component (%FO = 18.9%) followed by plastic fragments (%FO = 17.8%). Plastic debris represented the 65.3% of the debris fragments (n = 132, weight = 58.84 g), and was composed by polyethylene (52%), polypropylene (26%), polyamide (12%), polystyrene (6%), polyvinyl chloride (2%), and polyethylene terephthalate (2%). How plastics were obtained by gulls and the effects on individuals are discussed, as well as environmental considerations about plastic pollution on coastal environments.