Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that glitter microplastics can significantly affect marine biomineralisation, posing new threats to marine ecosystems. The study highlights the urgent need to address microplastic pollution.
A team of researchers from Trinity College Dublin has uncovered alarming evidence on how glitter microplastics are disrupting marine biomineralisation processes, raising serious concerns about their long-term impact on ocean ecosystems.
The study, published in Environmental Sciences Europe, reveals that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glitter microplastics can accelerate the crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in seawater, thereby influencing the structural integrity of marine organisms.
The research team, led by Kristina Petra Zubovic from the School of Natural Sciences, mimicked natural seawater conditions to examine how six types of PET glitter affect mineral formation.
Advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy showed that these microplastics provide favorable sites for rapid CaCO3 crystallization. Such processes can occur within hours or even minutes, which may lead to unintended consequences for marine life.
“Our findings suggest that PET glitter can serve as artificial templates for calcium carbonate formation, which may have unintended consequences for marine life,” Zubovic said in a news release. “This process could influence the structural integrity of marine organisms that rely on stable conditions for biomineralisation.”
The study not only identified the physical promotion of crystallization but also highlighted how glitter microplastics undergo degradation during the same process.
Increased fragmentation results in smaller microplastic particles, heightening concerns since these particles are more easily ingested by marine life, potentially disrupting food chains and biogeochemical cycles.
“Microplastic pollution is an urgent global issue, and our study provides new insights into how these synthetic materials interact with natural mineralisation processes,” added principal investigator Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco, an associate professor of nanomineralogy at Trinity College and a funded investigator at iCRAG (Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences. “Understanding these interactions is essential for assessing the broader environmental consequences of microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems.”
Glitter is widely used in diverse applications, from cosmetics and holiday decorations to industrial purposes like automotive paints and textiles. Composed of PET with metallic and dye coatings, it is particularly durable and resistant but difficult to break down, thereby contributing substantially to marine plastic pollution.
Its minuscule size (0.5 mm or smaller) and lightweight nature make it prone to entering the ocean through various waste streams, eluding traditional waste management systems.
The study’s findings emphasize the urgent need for further investigations into how microplastics influence biomineralisation and overall marine biodiversity. As glitter microplastics break down, releasing smaller particles as tiny as 0.001 mm, the implications for marine ecosystems are profound.
“This research highlights the need for further investigations into the role of microplastics in biomineralisation and their broader impact on marine biodiversity. As microplastics continue to accumulate in the world’s oceans, studies like this provide critical knowledge to inform environmental policies and mitigation strategies,” Rodriguez-Blanco added.
Source: Trinity College Dublin