Research Reveals Microplastics’ Biological Impact on Water Ecosystems

Scientists strive to understand full ecological impacts of plastics on aquatic food webs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Scientists have learned over the years that when aquatic organisms such as zooplankton become exposed to microplastics, they eat poorly. Research at Purdue University now shows that their plastic-induced eating difficulties also limit the ability of zooplankton to control algal proliferation.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 14: Life Below Water
2. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

“If the control of algae by zooplankton is confounded by the presence of microplastics, that could be a cause for concern,” said Tomas Höök, professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue.

When algae bloom out of control, this presents a problem because some species produce toxins. Also, algal blooms can be associated with pea-soupy, unattractive bodies of water and contribute to hypoxia, a low-oxygen condition that may lead to fish kills.

Zooplankton are tiny creatures that live in watery environments and form the base of the food web in many aquatic environments. The organisms examined for the study were two common types of crustaceous zooplankton that differ in size and feeding behavior.

The study highlights how rife plastic has become in the environment. “There’s plastic dust in the air. We’re all potentially breathing plastic now,” said Höök, who also directs the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program. Plastics are everywhere, he added, including in a lot of the food we eat.

Chris Malinowski, director of research and conservation at the Ocean First Institute, said, “The flow of plastics through the environment is reaching every part of the world.” Plastics are found atop snowcapped mountain peaks and on the ocean floor. The rivers in between serve as the vessels that help spread microplastics.

Höök, Malinowski and two co-authors presented their findings in the journal Science of the Total Environment. The study was among the first to examine the effects of microplastics in a simple food web design. This involved investigating impacts on how zooplankton feed on algae in the presence of different environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations and when faced with risk of predation from fish.

“Microplastics aren’t just having an effect on consumer organisms. They also have the potential to release algae from predatory control,” Höök said.

Conclusion

• The presence of microplastics affects the eating habits of zooplankton, limiting their ability to control algal proliferation.
• This has implications for Goal 14: Life Below Water, as uncontrolled algal blooms can lead to hypoxia and fish kills.
• The widespread presence of plastics in the environment highlights the need for Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Scientists strive to understand full ecological impacts of plastics on aquatic food webs

SDGs Addressed:

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
2. SDG 15: Life on Land

Targets:

• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Indicators:

• Indicator for SDG 14.1: Proportion of coastal and marine areas protected to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity.

The article discusses the ecological impacts of plastics on aquatic food webs, specifically focusing on the effects of microplastics on zooplankton and algal proliferation. This directly relates to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) which aims to prevent and reduce marine pollution, including marine debris. The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments can lead to poor feeding behavior in zooplankton, which in turn affects their ability to control algal proliferation. Algal blooms can have negative consequences such as toxin production and hypoxia, which can lead to fish kills. Therefore, SDG 15 (Life on Land) is also relevant as it emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

Based on the content of the article, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 14.1 and SDG 15.1. SDG 14.1 aims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution, including marine debris. The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments contributes to marine pollution, making this target relevant. SDG 15.1 focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The article highlights the need to understand the ecological impacts of plastics on aquatic food webs, which aligns with this target.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets. However, two relevant indicators can be inferred based on the content. For SDG 14.1, a possible indicator is the proportion of coastal and marine areas protected to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. This indicator can measure the extent of efforts to protect marine environments from pollution, including microplastics. For SDG 15.1, a relevant indicator is the coverage by protected areas of important sites for mountain biodiversity. While the article does not specifically mention mountains, it emphasizes the importance of conserving and restoring ecosystems in aquatic environments, which can indirectly contribute to the preservation of mountain biodiversity.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: miragenews.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.