Mangroves threatened by microplastic pollution

Beijing: Microplastic (particles smaller than 5 mm) pollution is a problem that is particularly affecting mangroves. The primary source of these fine particles is microbeads in personal care products such as face wash and toothpaste, while the secondary source is large pieces of plastic such as water bottles and bags.

Previous research estimated that 1.27 million tonnes of plastic waste reached the ocean in 2010 and this amount was expected to double by 2025 without proper intervention.

In research published in Frontiers in Marine Science, Associate Professor Peng Zheng from China’s Guangdong Ocean University and his colleagues studied mangroves in China’s semi-enclosed Zhenjiang Bay to determine the accumulation of The impact of these microplastics on the carbon storage capacity of these trees can be determined.

The researchers studied the abundance, composition and diversity of microplastics in and around mangroves at five sites on the bay.

The bay is drained by the Nanliu, Luteng, and Suixi rivers, which are close to the city of Zhenjiang and industrial plants, and are known for their rich urban waste and agricultural pollution. The study also included two other sites, the Australian Garden and the Potoo Primary School.

Identifying microplastics in the collected samples with the help of a microscope, the scientists found that the amount of these particles has clearly increased in the mangroves.

Accumulation of microplastics disrupts the supply of oxygen and nutrients to mangroves, threatening their growth and proliferation. So the ability to convert atmospheric carbon into organic carbon through photosynthesis is exacerbating climate change.