Nearly all seabird species expected to have guts full of plastic by 2050

A recently published study stated by 2050, nearly every seabird species is predicted to have plastic debris ingested into their systems.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Senior research scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Oceans and Atmosphere (CSIRO), Chris Wilcox, states, "For the first time, we have a global prediction of how wide-reaching plastic impacts may be on marine species - and the results are striking."

CSIRO researchers in Australia and Imperial College London analyzed studies dating back to the early 1960s and used oceanographic and ecological modeling to predict the risk of plastic ingestion of 186 seabird species around the world, NBC News reports.

Their findings show that about 60 percent of all the seabird species have ingested plastic. Plastic is a non-biodegradable debris and birds tend to ingest bottle caps and synthetic fibers used to make clothes.

Following the current trend, the researchers also predict that the statistic will rise up to 99 percent of all seabird species by 2050, raising even more concerns. Researchers add that this will be prevalently observed in the southern boundary of the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Surprisingly, great risk was also found in the "relatively pristine" Atlantic Ocean.

Wilcox and his team "predict, using historical observations, that 90 percent of individual seabirds have eaten plastic. This is a huge amount and really points to the ubiquity of plastic pollution."

The birds have eaten plastics from polluted rivers in urban areas, sewers and waste deposits. Species include albatross, shearwaters and penguins.

Environmental social responsibility is still among the top priorities of Pope Francis, urging people to take part in activities regarding climate change including proper waste disposal.

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