27 million tons of nanoplasty: danger to sea and humans!

27 million tons of nanoplasty: danger to sea and humans!

The alarming amount of plastic waste in the North Atlantic has led to intensive research in recent years. A current study carried out by researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Leipzig and the National Oceanography Center in Southampton shows that there are an estimated 27 million tons of nanoplasty in the upper part of the North Atlantic. This finding is published in the respected journal "Nature", such as Tagesspiegel.

nanoplasty, which arises from the decay of larger plastic objects such as bottles and bags, is not only dangerous for the environment, but also for the marine organisms. Melanie Bergmann (AWI) emphasizes that these tiny particles can penetrate in a larger number of organisms and their tissues, which leads to serious changes at cellular level. It is particularly worrying that the concentrations of nanoplasty in coastal areas are up to a thousand times higher than in the open sea. This could have far -reaching effects on the marine ecosystem.

The health risks of marine life

The study identifies some of the dangers associated with nanoplasty. This includes inhibited growth, reproductive problems, physiological stress and disorders of the immune system in water creatures. Another problem is the harmful effect of nanoplasty on the chloroplasts of algae, which could reduce the photosynthes' eratals. This could impair the CO₂ recording, which could further exacerbate global global warming, as [geo] (https://www.geo.de/natur/oekology/wohl- Mehr-plastik-in-den-als-bislang-35883370.html).

A central result of the investigation shows that the measurement data of twelve locations come in the North Atlantic. The researchers found different concentrations: an average of 25 mg nanoplasty per cubic meter of water were measured near the coast, while only 7.5 mg were registered at a depth of 1,000 meters. This indicates that the waters close to the surface are more contaminated than the deep waters. In the deep sea, only polyethylenerephthalat (PET) was detected, but not the widespread plastics polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

Need for political measures

The pressing necessity for political measures to reduce the plastic problem is emphasized by Martin Wagner (NTNU). Despite the knowledge about the extent of the nanoplastic problem, the research requirement remains high, especially with regard to the biological effects of these particles. Mark Lenz (Geomar) warns of the poor data on nanoplasty, which makes it difficult to assess the situation.

These new findings on the spread and dangers of nanoplasty in the North Atlantic contribute to the understanding of global plastic stripping and illustrate urgency to take immediate measures to protect and maintain the sea ecosystems.