The reign of fear beneath the waves continues as plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine life. While the concept of a ghostly figure in a white sheet may have lost its terror appeal on land, underwater, the drifting polythene bags resemble shrouded figures and continue to wreak havoc on the ocean ecosystem.
The long degradation time of plastics is a challenge in itself, but when they break down into smaller, fish-sized fragments due to natural forces, a more substantial problem arises. Marine animals, unfortunately, end up ingesting these fragments, leading to compromised liver, gut, and immune systems.
In light of the inability to reduce our reliance on plastics or prevent their entry into the oceans, the question arises: what measures can we take to protect aquatic life? The solution that emerged was the idea of “biodegradable plastics” – materials designed to break down more rapidly when discarded in landfills or water bodies.
Scientists initially saw these bioplastics as a panacea for combating the issue of microplastic ingestion by fish. However, it turns out that these advanced bioplastics are not living up to their initial expectations. While they are less harmful than traditional petroleum-based plastics, exposure to bioplastics still impairs a fish’s ability to escape from predators, a critical mechanism for their survival.
Previous studies have shown that both traditional and biopolymer microplastic exposure can affect various aspects of a fish’s response to danger, such as reducing their speed and distance traveled to evade threats. The recent study reaffirmed these findings, specifically observing reduced escape velocities in fish when exposed to bioplastics, focusing on a rocky reef species.
On the other hand, exposure to petroleum-based polymer microplastics had a predictable adverse impact on fish. Traditional microplastic exposure hindered their responsiveness to danger and their ability to swim away quickly, vital qualities for survival. Additionally, the fish became relatively lethargic, affecting their daily behaviors such as mean swimming speed and overall distance covered.
While biopolymers did provide some mitigation of harm compared to traditional plastics, the authors expressed concern that impaired escape behavior would increase the risk of predation by birds and other fish. The study emphasizes the need for stricter waste management practices and improved plastic waste control.
The paper acknowledges that with the increasing production of petroleum-derived and bioplastics, marine organisms will inevitably encounter larger quantities of diverse microplastics, heightening the risk of ingestion. It is crucial to recognize that while bioplastics may be less environmentally damaging than petroleum-derived polymers, they are not without risks.
The findings of this study have been published in the journal “Science of the Total Environment” and can be accessed here.
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