First assessment of debris pollution in the gastrointestinal content of juvenile Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) stranded on the west south Atlantic coasts

Abstract

This paper provides the first evidence of microplastic and other non-digestiblematerials ingested by American juvenile Magellanic penguins (Spheniscusmagellanicus). 100% of stranded penguins from the southern Buenos Aires Province,Argentina, showed macro-, meso- and microplastic particles (MPs) in their gastrointestinal tract, ranging from 33 to 200 items/ind. 91% of them were MPs including98.5% of fibers. Most MPs were in the small range (35%; < 1mm), followed by 1-2 mm(33%) and 2-3 mm (19%). Black MPs dominated (30%), followed by transparent (26%),blue (14%), yellow (14%), and red (10%). Infrared and Raman spectroscopy identifiedpolyester (28%) followed by synthetic cellulosic fibers (22%) and polypropylene (18%).We also report the occurrence of ingested metallic-like particles. Urban wastewatereffluents and discarded fishing gear were pointed as the main plastic sourcesimpacting the foraging areas. This species is proposed as a promising plastic pollutionbioindicator for the Patagonia region.