Microplastics (MPs) are the hottest topic now a days and they should be because they are everywhere and by everywhere I mean EVERYWHERE. The oceans, the Islands, the lakes, the sediments, inside the organisms and even in human blood too. before we go further lets see What are they?
There is no agreed upon definition of Mps in scientific literature but some scientists define them as tiny plastic particles with a size range between 1μm-5mm. They can be of different shapes and colors (transparent as well) and are released into the environment directly or indirectly. Directly through washing machines, industries and personal care products (watch your glitter use, folks) while Indirect exposure means the breakdown of larger plastic pieces into smaller ones (how? a topic for another day).
Why Worry?
Mps are a pollutant of emerging concern for multiple reasons.
- They are everywhere
- They are a threat to ecological health
- Small organisms eat them and they enter into food chain
- They are persistent in the environment
- They bio-magnify (move from one trophic level to another)
- Human health concern
What is scientific community doing Right now?
Honestly, we are at the initial phase yet. We are trying to understand their fate in different environments and the most recent development was their discovery in human blood. different organisms are being tested for different microplastics for mortality rates and changes in behavioral and reproductive patterns. Some of the most common test subjects for research community are, Daphnia Magna, Zebra fish, Nematodes, and benthic arthropods.
What can we do to be safe and keep our environment safe too?
Our actions impact the environment directly or indirectly. Until we find a way to get rid of MPs for good, here's what we can do:
- Reduce our sea food consumption
- keep a check on our personal care products for plastics
- Know that Reusable straws and bottles are our friends
- Airdry our clothes
- And most importantly, support the policies that focus on limiting plastic use.
References
- Fang, Chao, et al. "Microplastic contamination in benthic organisms from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions." Chemosphere 209 (2018): 298-306.
- Fang, Chao, et al. "Microplastics in three typical benthic species from the Arctic: Occurrence, characteristics, sources, and environmental implications." Environmental Research 192 (2021): 110326.
- Bespalaya, Y., et al. "Preliminary study of the benthic fauna in lakes of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago and Vaigach Island (the Russian Arctic)." Polar Biology 44.3 (2021): 539-557.
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