Microplasty in oceans: an invisible danger

Microplasty in oceans: an invisible danger

microplastics in oceans: an invisible danger

Microplastics have established itself as a global environmental problem unnoticed. It leads to serious ecological effects, especially in our oceans. Its tiny size makes it difficult to discover and difficult to combat it. This article illuminates the effects of microplastics in our oceans and tries to show possible solutions.

What is microplasty?

Microplasty is a collective term for different types of plastic particles that are smaller than 5mm. It can be shared in primary microplastics, which gets into the environment directly in a small form, and secondary microplastics, which is created by decaying larger plastic parts.

Primary microplastics occurs, for example, in cosmetic articles or cleaning agents, in the form of plastic particles, which are often used as peeling or trimming agents. Secondary microplastics result from the decomposition of larger plastic parts through weather influences such as sunlight, mechanical stress or biological degradation.

How does microplasty get into the oceans?

Microplastics can get into the sea in a variety of ways. This often happens via the entry in rivers that carry it into the sea. Typical sources are the improper disposal of plastic waste, sewage treatment plants and even the abrasion of car tires. In addition, microplastics are released by the breakdown of large plastic waste in the sea. Here the permanent mechanical stress caused by waves and flow as well as the sun's rays for continuous decay into ever smaller parts.

The effects of microplastics on the naval ecosystem

The effect of microplastics on the marine ecosystem is complex and affects different levels.

influences on the sea fauna

The smallest sea creatures often absorb microplastics for food. Plankton is already affected by microplastics because it confuses and absorbs the particles with phytoplankton. On higher food chain levels, the microplasty is indirectly absorbed by eating plankton or other sea inhabitants loaded with microplastics.

When animals absorb microplastics, it can lead to physical damage, such as injuries to the digestive tract. Chemical damage is also possible because microplastics often contain harmful additives that can accumulate in the body of the animals. In addition, pollutants that have bound to microplastics can also get into the organism of the animals.

Influences on the naval ecosystem

The pollution of the sea with microplastics also leads to a fundamental disorder of the marine ecosystems. The load on the water with floating plastic particles can change the light and heat ratio in the water and thus affect the living conditions for many organisms. In addition, microplastics can also influence the composition and dynamics of the sea surface and thus the living conditions for many marine organisms.

approaches to microplastics in our oceans

Combating microplastic pollution requires comprehensive and multi -layered approaches.

Avoiding microplastics

The most effective way to combat the pollution of the sea with microplastics is avoiding plastic waste. This includes reducing consumption and reuse of plastic products, as well as the disposal of plastic waste in a way that they do not get into the environment.

Cleaning of the seas

Various approaches to physical cleaning try to remove the existing plastic waste from the oceans. However, this approach also contains challenges because the removal of microplastics from the water body is technically very challenging and complex.

Improvement of wastewater treatment

The improvement of wastewater treatment could also help to reduce the entry of microplastics into the sea. Here special filter systems could effectively remove the microplastics from the waste water.

FAZIT

Microplasty in oceans is an invisible danger, the consequences of which are still underestimated or overlooked. An integrated and sustainable strategy to combat this problem is necessary at both national and international level. Not only waste management and technology, but also the awareness and behavior of each individual plays an important role.

How serious the problem of microplastic pollution will be crucial for the health of our oceans, the organisms living in it and ultimately also for the well -being of humanity. Because the oceans are the largest habitat on our planet. Your health is inextricably linked to our own. It is high time that we face this invisible danger.