Plastics that are in the seas have heavy impact on the environment and marine ecosystems, as they go into the food chain of species, according to scientists, since Zooplankton consumes plastics! Zooplankton is the main link in the marine food chain. These tiny aquatic heterotrophic organisms are classified as animal organisms and feed on bacteria, and other species.
It is estimated that every year, about eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea. Nets and bags are the main enemies of the larger marine species. There are many species that are often caught in them and consequently they die.
Even the green bags which are designed to be biodegraded, they shredded gradually putting several species in jeopardy.
As Dr Matthew Cole from Marine Laboratory at the University of Plymouth, UK says, the so-called Microscopic plastic pollution was underestimated until recently.
Lead researcher Dr Matthew Cole said, “Zooplankton, such as copepods, play a vital role in our oceans. These microscopic animals are close to the base of the marine food web and are an incredibly important source of food for a vast range of marine animals, including fish larvae and whales, as well as being key players in sustaining oceanic nutrient cycles. Changes in their health have a knock-on effect for animals higher up the food web.”
Plastics have led to a tremendous change in the food chain and sometime they will end up in our plates.
Source: PML , pubs.acs.org
