TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Small particles of plastic waste ingested by decomposers such as marine worms can negatively affect biodiversity. The micro plastics may be able to transfer poisonous pollutants and chemical into the decomposers.
It is estimated that 150 million tons of wastes are thrown every year. The findings have been published in the academic journal Current Biology. "Our findings show that the plastic itself can be a problem and can affect organisms," said Mark Browne, an ecologist from US-based National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.
The team found that small bits of plastic, which measure 1 millimeter can become pollutants. The additive chemical can be ingested by lugworms (Arenicola marina).
This process causes chemicals to enter the creatures, causing biological effects such as thermal stress and the inability to consume as much sediment. These worms, nicknamed eco-engineers, are able to consume organic substances from sediment and prevent the build-up of silt.
For 40 to 50 years, researchers have found huge chemical concentration on animals. These chemicals are pollutants and plastics, but no one has ever been able to show whether these chemicals can be transferred from plastic wastes.
BBC | ISMI WAHID
