Arctic Ice Algae Infected with Microplastics: A Threat to Marine Life and Human Health
An article highlights a concerning development in the Arctic’s food web. Arctic ice algae, a crucial component of the ecosystem, is now infected with microplastics, as per a study published in Environmental Science and Technology. This poses a significant threat to creatures that depend on the algae for sustenance.
The study found that the concentration of microplastics in the Arctic ice algae is much higher than that in the surrounding seawater. Once the algae die, clusters of them carry the microplastics into the deep sea. This may explain why the sediment in these regions has high concentrations of microplastics.
Previously, researchers had only known that microplastics accumulate in the ice and are discharged into the water when it melts. However, this study reveals that the Arctic ice plays a critical role in the movement of microplastics in the deep sea of these regions.
The article sheds light on the grave concern posed by microplastics, not only to the sediment of the deep sea but also to the marine life that relies on the Arctic ice algae for survival. During the winter months, the algae thrive beneath the ice, absorbing a high concentration of microplastics.
As the ice melts during the summer, the clumped-up algae sink to the ocean floor, carrying the microplastics with them. The heavier, microplastic-ridden algae sinking straight to the bottom explains the elevated microplastic concentration found in the sediment at the Arctic ice’s edge.
The study’s findings also highlight the potential threat to human life from consuming contaminated sea life. The high concentration of microplastics in the food chain could pose a risk to the people of the Arctic who depend on marine life as a food source.
The issue of plastic pollution is a widespread and ongoing battle, with garbage patches floating in oceans worldwide. The Arctic ice algae is not the only entity infected with microplastics. The researchers also found rocks on a remote island in Brazil contaminated with plastic.
It is crucial to address the problem of plastic pollution to protect marine life and our own health.
