High Levels of Microplastics Found in Northwest Atlantic Fish

A recent study has revealed that 73% of mesopelagic fish have micro-plastics in their stomachs. Mesopelagic fish are fish that live in the intermediate depths of the sea, which is about 650-3,300 feet below the surface. The fish that humans eat are predators of these fish, so the micro-plastics could contaminate our food supply. Mesopelagic fish also play a large role in a process named biogeochemical cycling. During this process, carbon and nutrients are cycled from the surface of the water, down into the deep sea. Researchers conducted a study to find out how these fish were being exposed to micro-plastics, since they live fairly far away from humans. They discovered that the fish were consuming the micro-plastics when they come to the surface of the water at night to feed.

This issue could definitely affect humans, as it was mentioned in the article. The micro-plastics could travel through the food web - to fish that prey on mesopelagics, to us. Then, we will be affected by the chemicals and toxins. There are many different health problems that could arise from this.

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2018 at 5:10 AM

    I agree with them when they said this issue needs to be resolved. This issue of fish having micro-plastics in them would not be good for everyone in the food the web because we would be effected by this.

    ReplyDelete

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