Researchers at Penn State University recently made a shocking discovery. From Philadelphia’s John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, they discovered microplastics in a freshwater tidal marsh. The study found a mind-boggling 4,590 microplastic particles. This major discovery should ring alarm bells everywhere with its implications for local ecosystems and human health. This study further underscores the need to address plastic pollution and its widespread impacts.
This is exactly what a team led by Jutamas Bussarakum recently did in a carbon-rich marsh. They identified 29 distinct polymer types, with polypropylene, polyurethane, and tire rubber as the predominant ones. These discoveries show plastic contamination truly is in fragile ecosystems. They most importantly point out that human activity plays a major role in introducing these substances.
The researchers employed advanced technology, specifically laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR), to analyze the size and chemical makeup of the plastic particles. This fast and widely available imaging tool is helping researchers to discover new microplastics and begin to understand their potential harmful effects.
Understanding the Risks of Microplastics
Microplastics hold a major risk to food chains, as they are widely consumed and incorporated, causing bioaccumulation, by a diversity of organisms. Plastic contamination could introduce microplastics into the food chain, Bussarakum explained, which might eventually pose risks to human health.
“Even if we reduce plastic use, plastics already present will continue breaking down into micro- and nanoparticles, which may enter food chains and eventually our bodies,” – Jutamas Bussarakum
Evidence has proven that microplastics can build up within humans. This buildup can impair critical biological processes including the immune system, metabolism, and neuronal activity. As these particles travel through life systems, their ability to do damage to both wildlife and humans is becoming more clear.
Raymond Najjar highlighted the dual sources of human exposure to microplastics: urban environments that contribute to pollution and the added risk faced by those living near marshes where plastics tend to accumulate.
“It is also important to note that tidal marshes, estuaries and other coastal areas are often located near large urban populations,” – Lisa Emili
The Global Implications of Local Findings
The importance of this study reaches far beyond the borders of Philadelphia. Najjar made it clear that the data is indicative of a global pattern in terms of microplastic pollution.
“Our findings on toxicity also provide a simple, quantitative way to describe ecological risk, from minor to extreme danger, which can be used to educate the public about risks to both ecosystems and human health,” – Emili
This study takes on the “missing plastics paradox.” This term refers to the difference between what’s predicted and what’s actually been measured in ocean plastic environments. To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify microplastics in a freshwater tidal marsh. This report underscores the need for robust policies at all levels to combat plastic pollution across ecosystems.
Bussarakum urges the need for strategies to remediate plastics already integrated into our environment to be prioritized.
“Studies like ours provide essential data to support science-based policy,” – Raymond Najjar
Strategies for Future Mitigation
Unsurprisingly, the team’s findings show that plastics from single-use products are the most dangerous. Emili noted that this information could inform laws and educational programs aimed at reducing plastic production and improving recycling efforts.
“Because so much of what we found was linked to single-use plastics, our research could inform laws, policies and educational programs that aim to decrease the production and use of these items,” – Emili
Moving forward, research should work to pinpoint which products most egregiously and disproportionately add to the growing microplastic supply. Najjar raised a crucial point. We have a lot of data on plastic production, but next to none on how much of it goes into the environment.
“While we have strong data on how much plastic is produced, we still don’t know enough about how much enters the environment, how it moves and where it ultimately ends up,” – Raymond Najjar
