Tiny particles of waste plastic that are ingested by shoreline “eco-engineer” worms may be negatively affecting biodiversity, a study says.
So-called microplastics may be able to transfer toxic pollutants and chemicals into the guts of lugworms, reducing the animals’ functions.
An estimated 150 million tonnes vanishes from the global waste-stream each year.
The findings have been published in the academic journal Current Biology.
“We are losing a large volume of plastic and we know it is going into the environment and the assumption being made by policymakers is that this material is non-hazardous, it has got the same ranking as scraps of food,” explained co-author Mark Browne, an ecologist from the US-based National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.
“The research we have done really challenges that,” Dr Browne added, referring to the findings of lab work carried out by colleagues at Plymouth University, UK, led by co-author Prof Richard Thompson.
“Our findings show that the plastic itself can be a problem and can affect organisms.
“Also, when particles of plastic go into the environment what you find is that they accumulate large quantities of pollutants that are banned. So you have these particles themselves but also a load of nasty chemicals.”
Important role
The team found that the tiny bits of plastic, which measure 1mm or smaller, transferred pollutants and additive chemicals – such as flame-retardants – into the guts of lugworms (Arenicola marina).
This process results in the chemical reaching the creatures’ tissue, causing a range of biological effects such as thermal stress and the inability to consume as much sediment.
Dr Browne explained that this had consequences for the surrounding ecosystem.
The Latest on: Microplastics
- Toxic chemicals from microplastics can be absorbed by the skin, study findson April 26, 2024 at 8:20 am
A new study used 3D human skin-equivalent models to examine how flame retardant additives in microplastics are absorbed by the skin. The findings show that several flame-retardant additives passed ...
- What are microplastics doing to human health? Scientists work to connect the dotson April 26, 2024 at 1:01 am
People unknowingly ingest microplastics from what we eat, drink and breathe. Some scientists fear exposure to microplastics could increase vulnerability to heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.
- Researchers uncover new oceanic locations where microplastics are accumulating: 'Global initiatives are necessary to conserve these rich ecosystems'on April 25, 2024 at 6:01 pm
"As coral reefs are prone to microplastic accumulation and can become pollution hotspots, global initiatives are necessary to conserve these rich ecosystems and prevent rapidly increasing plastic ...
- Where to Trade in Items for Microplastics in Another Crab's Treasureon April 25, 2024 at 9:00 am
You'll collect all sorts of junk in Another Crab's Treasure --here's what to do with it to earn some Microplastics.
- 5 Ways To Reduce Your Microplastics Exposure In The ‘Plasticene’ Eraon April 25, 2024 at 4:30 am
Emerging research shows microplastics—which are everywhere—are linked to health problems. Here are five ways to reduce your microplastics exposure.
- Earth Week underway as UN committee debates plastics and microplastics. Here's why.on April 23, 2024 at 10:29 am
Plastic has become ubiquitous in our environment. It's now considered "a crisis of global proportion," according to as United Nations' committee.
- Experts tell lawmakers about harmful effects of microplasticson April 23, 2024 at 3:37 am
One expert cited a link between the creation of plastic and dramatically declining fertility rates and sperm counts. The post Experts tell lawmakers about harmful effects of microplastics appeared ...
- Researchers working to keep microplastics from laundry out of water supplyon April 22, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Doing the laundry can also lead to microplastics polluting the water supply and oceans, as the particles are shed from certain kinds of fabrics. A group of researchers are working to create a device ...
- Microplastics found in food and water may spread from the gut to the brainon April 19, 2024 at 9:33 am
A new study conducted in mice found that microplastics can spread from the gut to other organs in the body, such as the brain, liver, and kidneys.
- Microplastics Found in Brain After Only 4 Weeks of Exposureon April 18, 2024 at 10:22 am
A new study found microplastics in the liver, kidneys, and brains of mice after only four weeks of drinking microplastic-tainted water. Microplastics are found in everything from water bottles to food ...
via Bing News
The Latest on: Microplastic pollution
- Breakthrough in microplastic detection: Dr SaeJune Park pioneering sensors with future telecommunication technologyon April 26, 2024 at 4:34 am
Dr Park's project represents a significant advancement in microplastic detection technology. This research, supported by a £450k grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ...
- Student project brings awareness to microfiber pollutionon April 25, 2024 at 6:34 pm
The Microfiber Initiative began in February and seeks to raise awareness of the microplastics released into the environment from textiles as a result of washing clothes.
- Will we get a global treaty on plastics pollution in 2024?on April 24, 2024 at 5:50 am
As 2024 advances, the world inches closer to what could be a pivotal moment in environmental policy—a global treaty aimed at addressing the rampant problem of plastic pollution. With ...
- MEPs toughen rules on plastic pellet pollutionon April 24, 2024 at 1:58 am
The vote was held by the environment committee of the European Parliament in its final days ahead of elections in early June. Under the resolution adopted ...
- MEPs want stricter rules to reduce plastic pellet losseson April 23, 2024 at 8:20 am
The Parliament has recently adopted a proposal to urgently address the issue of plastic pellet losses in the supply chain, setting a goal of zero losses. The Commission’s 2021 action plan, “Towards ...
- Mangrove blue carbon at higher risk of microplastic pollutionon April 22, 2024 at 6:09 am
Earth's oceans and coastal ecosystems are a major sink for carbon storage, known as blue carbon. Sequestration of carbon is vitally important in the fight against climate change as it 'locks away' ...
- Earth Day 2024: What Do We Know About Microplastic Pollution?on April 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Improved models, like this new Cornell model, will help scientists to better determine the sources of airborne microplastic pollution, the researchers say. “We can now more accurately attribute the ...
- First Study Reveals High Levels of Microplastic Pollution Along Brazilian Coaston April 20, 2024 at 5:42 am
The Brazilian coast has received visitors with a different objective. Since April 2023, researcher from the Federal Institute of Goiás Guilherme Malafaia and a team of researchers have been traveling ...
- Forensic Science Techniques Used to ID Microplastic ‘Hotspots’ in Open Waterson April 17, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Collaborative study identifies pollution concentrations, calls for targeted action in combating plastic contamination ...
- Greece plans 2 marine protected areas as part of environmental protection programon April 16, 2024 at 8:43 am
Greece aims to create two large marine parks as part of an $830 million program to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems ...
via Bing News