Tiny parasites could be hitchhiking on microplastics floating in the ocean and then hopping to ocean life.
This may not be happening in the real world, but the study is the first to demonstrate that path of transmission is at least possible.
Since fish and shellfish are regular carriers of microplastics, the authors worry about what their results could mean for animal and human health. "It's easy for people to dismiss plastic problems as something that doesn't matter for them, like, 'I'm not a turtle in the ocean; I won't choke on this thing,'""But once you start talking about disease and health, there's more power to implement change. Microplastics can actually move germs around, and these germs end up in our water and our food."
Image above: A microscopic view of a plastic fiber covered with a fuzzy blue biofilm, attached to pathogensTo test the idea, researchers conducted a series of laboratory experiments, in which they introduced pathogenic protozoans to microplastics bathed in seawater.as underestimated causes of illness from shellfish consumption.infects warm-blooded animals, like marine mammals and also humans. In us, the parasite can cause cysts to form in our skeleton, brain, and eyes.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Extreme global warming could see major ocean life extinctionA computer model based on past mass extinctions predicts the percentages of marine organisms that may be lost in best and worst-case scenarios
Read more »
Research discovers new bacteria that stick to plastic in the deep sea to travel around the oceanNewcastle University scientists have found new types of plastic loving bacteria that stick to plastic in the deep sea that may enable them to 'hitchhike' across the ocean.
Read more »
Oceans are facing a mass extinction event comparable to the 'Great Dying'Life in Earth’s oceans may suffer a mass extinction that could surpass the planet’s previous great extinctions.
Read more »
Sound Transit discounts reduced fares in push to boost payment complianceFare Ambassadors check for proof of payment, but are trained to assist offenders to access the low-income fare system.
Read more »
Respected nurse lived secret life as key money launderer in a phony U.S. Navy procurement scamEunice Nkongho has been sentenced to two years for sending proceeds from the theft of thousands of TVs and computers to her husband in Nigeria.
Read more »