We’re swimming in glitter: Over 8 million metric tons of tiny plastics found in oceans
We're swimming in glitter: Over 8 million metric tons of tiny plastics ... Study Finds
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Sustainable Development Goals and the Negative Impact of Glitter on Aquatic Organisms
Festive glitter, a common ingredient in makeup, greeting cards, and holiday decorations, may have a darker side than its shiny surface suggests. Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have found that glitter can negatively impact aquatic organisms vital to underwater ecosystems, with several million metric tons winding up in the oceans.
The Issue with Glitter
Popular in various products, from nail polish to Carnival costumes, glitter’s persistence isn’t just annoying for those trying to wash it off. Composed of microplastics – tiny particles smaller than five mm, typically made from materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – these glitters are coated with aluminum for a shimmering effect. The issue is these microplastics are too minuscule for wastewater treatment plants to filter out, leading to an alarming estimate of over eight million metric tons of glitter ending up in our oceans recently.
Since glitter doesn’t break down naturally, it poses several threats to aquatic life: ingestion, contact with its toxic ingredients, and injury from its sharp edges. Glitter’s unique size, shape, and makeup make it difficult to measure how much is contaminating our waters.
The Impact on Cyanobacteria
Scientists analyzed glitter’s effects on two types of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, which are fundamental to aquatic ecosystems. These algae contribute to water and soil cycles and serve as food for other organisms.
Using advanced techniques, scientists assessed the growth of these algae when exposed to varying glitter concentrations.
“We found that increasing the amount of glitter raised the biovolume of the cyanobacterial cells and boosted stress to levels that even impaired photosynthesis,” says study first author Mauricio Junior Machado, a researcher in CENA-USP’s Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, in a media release. “The toxicity of glitter for microorganisms has hardly been studied at all. Whatever affects cyanobacteria will indirectly affect other organisms in the same environment.”
Exposure to certain levels of glitter severely impacted the growth rates of these algae. The negative effects became most pronounced on the 21st day of their experiment.
The Importance of Addressing Glitter Pollution
“Glitter is sold for use in festivities, where people spare little thought for the environmental problems it causes,” notes study last author Marli de Fátima Fiore. “However, it’s necessary to bear in mind that microplastics contaminate and damage marine and freshwater ecosystems, which are extremely important to our lives, and to think about campaigns to avoid microplastic pollution as much as possible.”
The team plans to continue their research, testing the effects on other types of cyanobacteria and investigating if “biodegradable” glitter is genuinely less harmful to aquatic life.
Conclusion
The negative impact of glitter on aquatic organisms highlights the urgent need to address microplastic pollution and protect our oceans. It is crucial to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
The study is published in the journal Aquatic Toxicology.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – This goal focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – This goal aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Target 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.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 14.1: Proportion of coastal and marine areas that are protected, managed, and/or conserved.
- Indicator for Target 15.1: Coverage by protected areas of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | Proportion of coastal and marine areas that are protected, managed, and/or conserved. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 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. | Coverage by protected areas of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity. |
The article highlights the negative impact of glitter on aquatic organisms and its contribution to marine pollution. This connects to SDG 14: Life Below Water, which aims to protect and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of freshwater ecosystems and the need to avoid microplastic pollution, aligning with SDG 15: Life on Land.
Based on the content of the article, specific targets can be identified. Target 14.1 focuses on preventing and reducing marine pollution, including marine debris. Target 15.1 aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators related to the protection and conservation of coastal and marine areas, as well as important sites for biodiversity, can be used to assess progress. These indicators align with the targets and provide a measurable way to track the impact of efforts in addressing the issues highlighted in the article.
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: studyfinds.org
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