Microplastics are harming gut health
Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds,
and humans should be wary too

Date:
May 24, 2023
Source:
McGill University
Summary:
Scientists have found evidence that microplastics in the digestive
tract of seabirds altered the microbiome of the gut -- increasing
the presence of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant microbes,
while decreasing the beneficial bacteria found in the intestines.


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FULL STORY ========================================================================== Scientists have been worried about the potential harms of microplastics
for years. These small plastic particles less than 5 mm in length have
been found everywhere because of plastic pollution -- from the Earth's
deep oceans to remote regions in Antarctica, and even the seafood we
eat. But, are microplastics really harmful? An international team of scientists, including researchers from McGill University, have found
evidence that microplastics in the digestive tract of seabirds altered
the microbiome of the gut -- increasing the presence of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant microbes, while decreasing the beneficial bacteria
found in the intestines.

"Our findings reflect the circumstances of animals in the wild. Since
humans also uptake microplastics from the environment and through food,
this study should act as a warning for us," say the authors.

"The gut microbiome encompasses all the microbes in the gastrointestinal
tract, which help control the digestion of food, immune system, central
nervous system, and other bodily processes. It's a key indicator of
health and well- being," says Julia Baak, co-author of the study and a
PhD Candidate in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences at McGill University.

To gain a better understanding of how species are affected by diets
chronically contaminated with microplastics, the scientists examined the
gut microbiome of two seabird species, the northern fulmar (Fulmarus
glacialis) and the Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis) that live
mainly on the high seas and feed on marine mollusks, crustaceans,
and fish.

"Until now there was little research on whether the amounts of
microplastics present in the natural environment have a negative impact
on the gut microbial health of affected species," says Gloria Fackelmann,
who conducted the study as part of her doctoral thesis at the Institute
of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics at Ulm University
in Germany.

In studying the seabirds, the researchers discovered that
microplastic ingestion changed the microbial communities throughout
the gastrointestinal tract of both seabird species. "The more
microplastics found in the gut, the fewer commensal bacteria could be
detected. Commensal bacteria supply their host with essential nutrients
and help defend the host against opportunistic pathogens. Disturbances
can impair many health-related processes and may lead to diseases in
the host," says Fackelmann.

According to the researchers, most studies exploring the impact of microplastics on the microbiome are done in labs using very high
concentrations of microplastics. "By studying animals in the wild,
our research shows that changes in the microbiome can occur at lower concentrations that are already present in the natural environment,"
says Fackelmann.

* RELATED_TOPICS
o Health_&_Medicine
# Gastrointestinal_Problems # Ulcers # Colitis #
Medical_Topics
o Earth_&_Climate
# Ecology # Environmental_Awareness # Pollution #
Environmental_Issues
* RELATED_TERMS
o Microorganism o Gastrointestinal_tract o Pathogen o
Antibiotic_resistance o Colostrum o Escherichia_coli o Bacteria
o Flatulence

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by McGill_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Gloria Fackelmann, Christopher K. Pham, Yasmina Rodri'guez, Mark L.

Mallory, Jennifer F. Provencher, Julia E. Baak, Simone
Sommer. Current levels of microplastic pollution impact wild
seabird gut microbiomes.

Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2023; 7 (5): 698 DOI:
10.1038/s41559-023- 02013-z ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524181926.htm

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