Pollution—Lights, plastics, oil, and contaminants

Seabirds’ reliance on the dynamic ocean environment also exposes them to global pollution sources. Major pollution threats include plastics, contaminants, oil spills, and artificial lights at night (ALAN). Plastics and contaminants are harmful because they are ingested directly and secondarily from prey, and they can cause starvation, hormonal changes, and other health problems. Oil disrupts feather structure, adversely affecting flight, waterproofing, and insulation. ALAN causes disorientation, physiological impacts, and can be fatal. Young birds are disproportionately affected because seabird parents offload contaminant burdens into their eggs, feed chicks plastic and contaminant-laden prey, and in colonies near ALAN, fledglings are commonly affected by disorientation and fallouts. Increased chemical and plastic production and increased exposure to light and oil spills may perpetuate adverse effects on long-lived seabirds. Efforts that standardize sampling and reporting methods and that document contaminant baselines and seabirds’ natural histories are the most useful tools to address pollution effects.