Testing for microplastic contamination levels in marine plankton is aimed at creating fresh approaches to evaluate and tackle the growing issue of global pollution, according to experts. Researchers analyzed how five different chemical digestive aids interacted with typical plastics at varying concentrations of zooplankton.
Experts at Flinders University indicate that testing for microplastic contamination in marine plankton is crucial for creating innovative methods to address the increasing global pollution crisis.
The researchers studied the impact of five types of chemical digestive aids on common plastics, using zooplankton at low, medium, and high concentrations, with their findings published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
Plastic waste is the primary type of litter found in oceans, with ever-growing amounts entering waterways each year, notes Elise Tuuri, a PhD student at Flinders University.
“Plastic pollution can be detected in both deep-sea and shore sediments, as well as in surface waters and marine life. This creates extensive challenges for ecosystems, threatening marine life and potentially disrupting food webs and habitats,” she explains.
“If scientists can establish how microplastics relate to zooplankton, we could gain valuable insights and potentially reduce the harm caused by microplastics.”
Microplastics, which are particles smaller than 5mm, have been found in the digestive systems of fish and shellfish, raising concerns about seafood safety. They may also appear in drinking water and various food products, with both the plastics and their chemical additives posing toxicity risks.
The surge in plastic production from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 380 million metric tons in 2015 has led to plastic pollution becoming the most prevalent form of man-made marine litter worldwide. Projections indicate that production could triple by 2050.
By utilizing different concentrations of cultured zooplankton in controlled environments, the researchers from Flinders University investigated how five chemical digestive aids—acid, two alkaline solutions, enzymatic, and oxidative—affected various common plastics, including polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene.
Professor Sophie Leterme, a coauthor of the study recently published in Science of the Total Environment, noted that the different methods used produced varying levels of damage to these prevalent environmental microplastic pollutants.
Professor Leterme, who heads the ARC Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, emphasized that tracking microplastic levels through these methods could help gather data on microplastic particles.
“This will help us comprehend the environmental and health implications and devise effective strategies to reduce marine pollution,” she states.
