Microplastics pose great danger to giant ocean animals

NewsBharati    06-Feb-2018
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Mumbai, February 6: We have a concept that microplastics don’t cause much harm. Countering the popular belief, Scientists are warning that microplastics in the ocean are posing threat to giant animals like whales, sharks, and manta rays that are marine filter feeders. The creatures may be swallowing hundreds of tiny bits of plastic a day.

Just like plastic pollution, microplastic pollution has the potential to further reduce the population sizes of the large filter feeders. A study published in the journal Trends In Ecology And Evolution has revealed the fact. The potential effect of these harmful microplastics are little less known and more research is required.

"It has become clear, though, that microplastic contamination has the potential to further reduce the population numbers of these species, many of which are long-lived and have few offspring throughout their lives." Elitza Germanov, the lead researcher of the study said.

‘While a definitive connection between microplastic ingestion and toxin exposure for filter feeders remains to be confirmed, studies into seabirds and small fish have found a link,’ she added.