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Alarming study: Invisible nanoplastics threaten our oceans!
A new study shows alarming levels of nanoplastics in the North Atlantic, posing a significant threat to the marine environment.
Alarming study: Invisible nanoplastics threaten our oceans!
An alarming study by the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig has revealed new findings about the invisible danger of nanoplastics in the ocean. The research, led by Dušan Materić, shows that the amount of nanoplastics in the oceans may be much larger than previously thought. This could have serious impacts on marine life and the climate, as utopia.de reports.
The measurement data comes from twelve locations in the North Atlantic, which were both near the coast and in the deep sea. Surprisingly, it was found that the mass of nanoplastics could exceed that of visible plastics and microplastics. It is estimated that the amount of nanoplastics in the upper water layer of the North Atlantic is around 27 million tons, which is equivalent to that of macro- and microplastics in the entire Atlantic.
Methods of investigation
The researchers developed a new methodology for analyzing water samples using a mass spectrometer. This technique makes it possible to identify chemical fingerprints on plastics. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were detected in the samples. Interestingly, no nanoparticles made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) were found. The contamination with nanoplastics was significantly greater in higher water layers than in the depths of the ocean, and coastal waters had higher concentrations than the open North Atlantic, as science.de admits.
The samples collected showed that at a depth of 10 meters there was an average of 18.1 mg/m³ of nanoplastics, while in coastal areas this value increased to 25 mg/m³. At a depth of 1000 meters, the values were 13.5 mg/m³ inside the subtropical current vortex and 7.5 mg/m³ outside.
Effects on the ecosystem
Scientists warn about the potential dangers posed by nanoplastics. Melanie Bergmann from the Alfred Wegener Institute highlights that plastic waste has significant negative effects on marine life, including stunting growth and disrupting the immune system. In addition, nanoplastics can reduce the photosynthesis rate of algae, which could further exacerbate global warming, emphasizes Katsiaryna Pabortsava from the National Oceanography Center. The knowledge gap about the effects of nanoplastics is significant because the identification and analysis of these small particles in environmental samples is challenging.
The results of this study highlight the extent of nanoplastic pollution in the ocean and the urgent need for action to combat plastic pollution. Existing nanoplastics cannot be easily removed, which is why preventative measures to reduce plastic contamination are necessary. The extent of the contamination and its consequences for the marine ecosystem are raising serious concerns among scientists.