Glitter, the sparkly substance loved by many, is causing serious harm to our environment. Made up of non-biodegradable microplastics, glitter cannot be filtered out during wastewater treatment and has found its way into rivers and oceans. This seemingly harmless decoration is actually a threat to aquatic life.
Recently, scientists have discovered that cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are the latest victims of glitter pollution. Cyanobacteria are essential to aquatic ecosystems, playing a crucial role in biogeochemical processes and food webs.
Researchers at the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture in Brazil conducted a study to understand the impact of glitter on cyanobacterial growth and its wider environmental consequences. The team found that higher concentrations of glitter negatively affected the growth rate and biovolume of cyanobacteria. Increased stress levels impaired photosynthesis, which is vital for their energy production.
This discovery has significant implications for the entire ecosystem that relies on blue-green algae. Therefore, the researchers urge policymakers and the public to reduce the use of glitter and address the issue of microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
It is crucial to raise awareness about the environmental problems caused by glitter. Marli de Fátima Fiore, one of the researchers, emphasizes the need to consider the contamination and damage caused by microplastics to marine and freshwater ecosystems. Campaigns to minimize microplastic pollution are essential to protect these vital ecosystems.
The study, published in Aquatic Toxicology, serves as a wake-up call to the harmful effects of glitter and the urgent need for action.
