Coastlines are susceptible to plastic and heavy metal pollution, which can accumulate from both marine and terrestrial sources. Shorebirds, top-level predators in these fragile ecosystems are considered as indicators of environmental health. Here, we tested the occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in the droppings of ten regular wintering migrant shorebird species in Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve and adjoining sand beaches during November, December and January, each year, between 2019 and 2021. Heavy metals were analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the microplastic polymer compositions were identified using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. We detected high concentrations of heavy metals such as Zinc, Copper, Cobalt, Chromium, Lead and Cadmium in droppings. Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Poly Vinyl Chloride, Nitrile and Polyethylene terephthalate were the polymers identified. Polystyrene (42.6 %) and chromium (ranges between 7.83 and 88.45 mg/kg) were found to be the most abundant contaminants in most of the species.

中文翻译：

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滨鸟粪便分析：印度西海岸一个重要保护区和毗邻沙滩中的微塑料和重金属


海岸线容易受到海洋和陆地来源的塑料和重金属污染的影响。滨鸟是这些脆弱生态系统中的顶级掠食者，被视为环境健康的指标。在这里，我们测试了 2019 年至 2021 年间每年 11 月、12 月和 1 月期间 Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu 社区保护区和邻近沙滩的 10 种常规越冬候鸟的粪便中微塑料和重金属的含量。对重金属进行了分析通过火焰原子吸收分光光度计进行分析，并使用 ATR-FTIR 光谱法对微塑料聚合物成分进行鉴定。我们在粪便中检测到高浓度的重金属，如锌、铜、钴、铬、铅和镉。聚乙烯、聚丙烯、聚苯乙烯、聚氯乙烯、腈和聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯是确定的聚合物。聚苯乙烯（42.6%）和铬（范围在 7.83 至 88.45 毫克/千克之间）被发现是大多数物种中最丰富的污染物。