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New consequences
We have all seen heartbreaking images of dolphins trapped in plastic rings containing six packs. But new research suggests that plastic pollution is affecting marine life in a much more subtle way, which could have disastrous consequences for the global ecosystem.
A photosynthetic bacterium called sea Prochlorococcus generates ten percent of the oxygen we breathe, but according to a study published Tuesday in the newspaper Biology of nature communication, Chemicals leached into water from plastic waste retard the growth of the bacteria at the genetic level – and potentially deprive the Earth of a valuable source of breathable air.
Fragile web
Prochlorococcus Sasha Tetu, a Macquarie University biologist who led the research, also serves as a base layer for the marine food web. L & # 39; Independent.
"If we really want to understand the full impact of plastic pollution in the marine environment and find ways to mitigate it, we need to examine its impact on key microbial groups, including photosynthetic microbes, "she said.
Time to act
This particular research was conducted in a laboratory and not on the ocean. But Lisa Moore, another project scientist, said L & # 39; Independent this pollution could cause a global decline Prochlorococcus populations in the coming decades.
"It is possible that some Prochlorococcus are already affected when they are near plastics, "Moore said.
READ MORE: Plastic pollution harms bacteria that produce 10% of the oxygen we breathe, a study finds[[[[L & # 39; Independent]
More about pollution: Microplastics are already in our bodies, according to a new study
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