Uncovering hidden impacts of plastic on seabirds

Australian seabird chicks are increasingly exposed to plastic pollution, but its effects on their internal health have been poorly understood. With support through Charles Sturt’s Gulbali Institute and fundraising assistance from our Advancement team, Adjunct researcher Dr Jennifer Lavers’ work is revealing how even small amounts of ingested plastic disrupt the bodies of Sable Shearwaters.

Using protein analysis techniques more commonly seen in medical research, the team found clear evidence of cell damage, stomach dysfunction, and early markers of brain injury linked to neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s disease. These results, now published in Science Advances, show that standard wildlife health indicators such as body weight underestimate the severity of plastic exposure.

This research provides new evidence on how plastic pollution harms wildlife at the cellular and neurological level, supporting global efforts to protect marine ecosystems and the species that depend on them.