Aerosolized Coal Fly Ash: A Previously Unrecognized Primary Factor in the Catastrophic Global Demise of Bird Populations and Species

Objectives: Bird populations and species world-wide are experiencing die-offs on an unprecedented scale. Forensic evidence is consistent with coal fly ash (CFA), the toxic waste product of coal-burning, being the main aerosol particulate utilised in atmospheric geoengineering. The principal objective of this paper is to disclose previously unrecognised factors, arising from CFA, which underlie the catastrophic and global decline of birds. Methods: We utilised inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and conducted extensive literature research. Results: New data presented here confirm the unmistakable footprint of CFA in atmospheric precipitation and air-drop samples. Review of the literature reveals the increasing importance of air pollution on global bird populations. Aerosolized CFA, a particularly toxic form of air pollution, contains multiple metals and elements well-known to adversely affect all portions of the avian life cycle, in aerial, terrestrial, and marine environments. Studies from around the globe reveal systemic contamination of birds by these elements. Original Research Article Whiteside and Herndon; AJOB, 6(4): 1-21, 2018; Article no.AJOB.44911 2 Conclusions: Coal fly ash, including its use in ongoing atmospheric geoengineering operations, is a major factor in global bird die-off. The accelerating decline of birds parallels the catastrophic decline of insects, due in part to the same type of aerial pollution. There is an urgent need to recognise and halt atmospheric geoengineering if there is to be any chance of reducing the drastic decline of birds and the associated degradation of natural ecosystems. If the aerial spraying can be stopped, the gradual recovery of bird populations would be the best evidence that CFA is, in fact, a leading cause of the drastic avian decline.