Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [295112]
Dissolved organic carbon leaching from plastics stimulates microbial activity in the ocean
Romera-Castillo, C.; Pinto, M.; Langer, T.M.; Alvarez-Salgado, X.A.; Herndl, G. (2018). Dissolved organic carbon leaching from plastics stimulates microbial activity in the ocean. Nature Comm. 9(1): 7 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03798-5
In: Nature Communications. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2041-1723; e-ISSN 2041-1723, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Authors  Top 
  • Romera-Castillo, C.
  • Pinto, M.
  • Langer, T.M.
  • Alvarez-Salgado, X.A.
  • Herndl, G., more

Abstract
    Approximately 5.25 trillion plastic pieces are floating at the sea surface. The impact of plastic pollution on the lowest trophic levels of the food web, however, remains unknown. Here we show that plastics release dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into the ambient seawater stimulating the activity of heterotrophic microbes. Our estimates indicate that globally up to 23,600 metric tons of DOC are leaching from marine plastics annually. About 60% of it is available to microbial utilization in less than 5 days. If exposed to solar radiation, however, this DOC becomes less labile. Thus, plastic pollution of marine surface waters likely alters the composition and activity of the base of the marine food webs. It is predicted that plastic waste entering the ocean will increase by a factor of ten within the next decade, resulting in an increase in plastic-derived DOC that might have unaccounted consequences for marine microbes and for the ocean system.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors