Even a protected island, more than 34 miles from the Spanish coast, cannot hide from plastic pollution.
In a study led by Kylo University and published in a sea pollution bulletin, researchers investigating the ILLA Grossa Bay Columbette Sea Reserve found that the only Mediterranean coral coral, a blanket at a record level of microplastics and micrororubers.
What is going on?
Researchers took five sedimentary examples from the Illla Grossa Bay, eventually discovering a contaminated public internet access point.
Even without local sources of pollution, the seabed was on average 1 514 microplastic and microus particles per kilogram of sediment. There were even more than 6,300 particles in one sample.
“More than 90% of the particles were less than 250 micrometers – small enough to swallow them,” said Dr. Daniel Pröfrock from the Helmholtz Center, said at Kiel University.
Why is this discovery important?
Microplasty is tiny plastic fragments of broken plastic. Because they are so small, humans and animals are easy to digest. They are also associated with many health problems such as cancer and fertility problems. Microrubber is not as widely discussed, but Sciencedaily shares research shows that it is much more common in the environment than microplasty.
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Microplastics and micro -uber pollutant water bodies such as the ILLA Grossa Bay. That’s where CladocoraThe endangered type of coral coral is growing, making these waters one of the most fragile habitats of the Mediterranean regions.
Coral reefs as C. Tufted According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, give fish species, sea urchins, sponges and even more space to live, often serving as a “marine life center”.
“Our conclusions are very related to,” said Kiel University dr. LARS REUNING, the main author of the study. “Although they are related to the limited Mediterranean area, they emphasize that even protected areas have been severely affected by global plastic pollution, which is particularly dangerous to sensitive coral species.”
When coral reefs break down, communities can feel the effects. Less healthy coral means fewer fish and crustaceans, which local families rely on food and income. According to Coral Reef Alliance, coral reefs also reduce wave energy by 97%. With fewer coral reefs, local communities could experience more floods.
C. Tufted already encountered other threats to his well -being. 2024. In a study published in the Science of the Total environment, researchers found flying and Ash pollution in the Ill Grossa Bay. Light ashes are a toxic compound derived from a burning coal.
According to research shared by the Animal Ecology Journal, the coral population has also declined over the last two decades due to significant rising temperatures causing the sea heat waves in the Grossa Bay.
What is done to protect coral reefs?
Scientists are working on new technologies to make the world’s expensive coral reefs intact. One group of researchers found that the sounds of underwater speakers were encouraged by the creation of reefs by playing the sounds of healthy coral reefs. Another research team is experimenting with underwater robots to accurately identify and eliminate invasive species that are detrimental to Brazilian coral reefs.
For C. Tufted And Illla Grossa Bay seems to be the biggest threat to microplastic and microroruber pollution. As researchers noted, this area is the center of the stuck waste washing from the northern current.
An easy way to facilitate coral reef pressure is to use less plastic. Choose reusable bags, bottles and containers to reduce the litter that comes to water roads. As the global demand for plastic plastic decreases, fewer plastic fragments can reach vulnerable corals such as C. Tuftedgiving them a fight to recover.
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