Glitter, widely used in apparel, cosmetics, and festive decorations, presents an emerging environmental threat. Despite its association with fun, new research reveals its dark side, as glitter particles reduce sunlight in water bodies, potentially harming aquatic plants.
Unfortunately, glitter is not filtered by wastewater treatment, contributing to environmental pollution. The study, titled "Interference of glitter with the photosynthetic rates of a submerged macrophyte, Egeria densa" published in the New Zealand Journal of Botany, challenges the perception of glitter's harmlessness, shedding light on its negative impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Glitter's Environmental Impact: A Microplastic Menace and Metallic Threat to Aquatic Plants
Metal in Glitter Interfere in Photosynthesis of Aquatic Plants
Disguised as a microplastic, glitter hides its harmful contribution to pollution. Despite its playful image, there's a shift, seen in the EU's ban on microplastic glitter. Resistant to degradation, glitter's small size allows it to evade wastewater filtration, posing threats to freshwater life and contributing to ocean pollution.
Researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in Brazil conducted a comprehensive study, unveiling an additional layer of concern associated with glitter. Beyond its plastic composition, glitter contains metals, primarily aluminum.
This metallic presence can impede the penetration of light underwater, potentially disrupting aquatic plant photosynthesis and hindering growth. This revelation adds a nuanced dimension to the environmental impact of glitter, highlighting its multifaceted role in ecosystem disruption.
The study delved into the intricate dynamics involving glitter and aquatic plants, particularly focusing on the Large-flowered waterweed, Egeria densa. Macrophytes like E. densa play pivotal roles in ecosystems, serving as a visible source of food and shelter while providing shade and oxygen.
Additionally, these macrophytes are integral in phytoremediation projects, contributing to the detoxification of soil, water, or air. Some, including E. densa, are extensively used for oxygenation and landscaping in aquariums and artificial lakes, emphasizing their ecological significance.
Experiments with 400 E. densa fragments in Monjolinho reservoir water and glitter revealed a 1.54 times higher photosynthesis rate without glitter. The primary factor affecting photosynthesis was reduced light caused by microplastic particles. Respiration was also impacted, albeit to a lesser extent.
Lead author Luana Lume Yoshida emphasized that the findings support the hypothesis of glitter interfering with photosynthesis due to the reflective nature of microplastic particles' metallic surface. This research highlights the necessity for a better understanding of glitter's ecological impact, urging a reevaluation of its widespread use.
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Urgent Calls for Reevaluation of Glitter's Environmental Impact
The experiment focused on how glitter physically interferes with a macrophyte species, considering existing scientific literature on water contamination. Researchers provided insights into the entire ecosystem's functioning, emphasizing potential impacts across the food chain, and showcasing an ecological approach.
Due to limited research on glitter concentrations diffusing in waterways, accurately gauging the problem's severity remains challenging. Levels in the investigation were extrapolated from experiments with different microplastics, underscoring the necessity for future fieldwork to provide precise data.
Additional research is crucial to uncover how glitter impacts natural aquatic ecosystems. Irineu Bianchini Jr., a principal investigator and co-author, stresses the need to reevaluate our use of glitter, highlighting the importance of informing society about potential disruptions to photosynthesis rates and aquatic food chains.
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