Posted At 2024-10-26

Bees and Whales are Massively SUFFOCATING from Plastic Waste

Pavel Pashkov
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Pollution of the Earth's biosphere with plastic waste is one of the most global and destructive problems. Recent scientific research shows that microplastic particles are already inside our organs, in the blood, and even in the placenta of unborn children. In 2021, a separate disease named 'plasticosis' was even identified.


The problem remains unresolved worldwide. A long time ago, a ban on the use of single-use packaging could have been introduced, public education on the necessity of using simple reusable bags could have been conducted, and investments could have been made in the development and scaling of technologies to combat existing plastic pollution.


But all of this contradicts the global capitalist system. Transnational corporations do not want to lose multi-billion dollar profits, and people do not want to give up convenient buy-and-dispose habits.


In addition to existing awareness regarding the danger of plastic waste to wildlife, new 'hidden' problems are only now being identified.


In recent scientific research, scientists have proven that even the smallest bees are forced to inhale nano-plastic particles, which not only kill them but also affect our entire agriculture. Another scientific study provides data showing that huge whales in ocean waters mistake natural food for plastic waste due to sound waves. This leads to the death of whales.


Let's analyze these two studies to expand the horizon of personal knowledge.


Bees


Let's start with bees. Poor creatures have been facing catastrophic human impact in recent years! One reason is nano- and microplastic particles, which are so microscopic that bees (like other pollinating insects) ingest them with food or simply from the air. As a result, nano-plastic particles damage insects' organs, cause changes in their behavior, and disrupt essential ecosystem functions.


Simply put: bees fight agricultural pests and provide essential pollination! Contaminating bees with microplastics strikes a blow to our agriculture and global food security.



A scientific study titled 'Plastic pollution in agricultural landscapes: an overlooked threat to pollination, biocontrol and food security' was published by scientists on September 23, 2024, so we can be among the first to learn about its results.


In addition to their personal research, scientists also examined 21 previously published studies on the impact of microplastics on insects. It should be noted that microplastics are pieces of plastic waste ranging from one micrometer to five millimeters, while nanoplastics are anything smaller than a micrometer. For example: the diameter of most bacterial cells is 1–10 micrometers, whereas the width of human hair is about 70–100 micrometers.


In their study, scientists managed to identify the sources from which nano- and microplastic particles end up on agricultural land for the first time. These sources include large plastic films and fertilizers, as well as polluted water and atmospheric precipitation that carry plastic particles.


Subsequently, all this micro- and nanoplastic accumulates in the soil, and insects ingest it from the air and food or use it for nest construction.


The authors of the scientific work found that the entry of plastic particles into bees' bodies inevitably leads to damage to the digestive system, weakening of the immune system, and changes in behavior. Moreover, bees become susceptible to diseases and reduce the amount of plant pollination, leading to a decline in crop yields. This decline forces farmers to use more pesticides and growth enhancers, further increasing the mortality of pollinating insects and all plant species.



Professor Alexandra-Maria Klein, co-author of the study and professor of conservation at the University of Freiburg, says:


'We found microplastics in the guts of bees and saw how wild bees use plastic for nest construction. Therefore, we urgently need to study how this affects interactions with other stress factors, such as climate change, for bees and their pollination activities.'


Scientists also found that in many places, plastic nanoparticles began interacting with dangerous viruses. This further aggravates the problem with pollinators and threatens food security.


It is important to note that this is not just a local research effort but a meta-study based on numerous scientific data and conducted by specialists from different countries worldwide.


Whales


Now let's consider the second scientific study titled 'Acoustic signature of plastic marine debris mimics the prey items of deep-diving cetaceans.' This study is also recent — scientists studied the impact of plastic on whales.


You have probably already heard from the news about seashores being littered with the carcasses of whales and dolphins. A huge amount of plastic waste is found inside them. But how does it get there?



The thing is, whales hunt using sound waves in the dark depths of the ocean, and, as scientists have proven, plastic waste has the same acoustic signals as the natural prey of whales.


'These acoustic signals are similar, and this may cause these animals to prefer eating plastic instead of their prey or in addition to it. One hundred percent of the tested plastic marine debris possesses either the same or higher acoustic density compared to whales' prey items,' say the authors of the scientific work.


How does this happen? Large whales such as sperm whales, beaked whales, and other species emit clicks and various sounds to find food in the dark. They have a special structure similar to vocal cords located near their blowholes! Sounds are transmitted into the water around the whales, reflected off nearby objects, and the whales capture these sounds, finding nourishment.


This acoustic system has existed in whales for over 25 million years.



However, plastic in the ocean — plastic bottles, bags, and other waste — reflects sound in the same way as the whales' prey. Thus, the unfortunate whales start massively consuming plastic waste, which eventually clogs their stomachs. After this, we see news about yet another batch of dead whales washed up on the shore.

 

Conclusion


Such are the scientific studies. And scientists only receive such data now! Our plastic waste is killing animals — from the smallest bees to the largest whales. How do we fight this? Discovering and removing nano-plastic particles from the air today is impossible, as insects are ingesting them right now. Without scientific research, we wouldn't even have guessed this! After all, the death of a bee will go unnoticed, and plastic nanoparticles can only be seen under a microscope.


Or whales — huge giants whom humans have nearly exterminated already! Will they continue to wash up on shores? Their acoustic organs have been working for over 25 million years; in the ocean depths, this is the only opportunity for whales to find sustenance. But the ocean is littered with waste, to the point that entire 'continents' of garbage have formed, concentrated in ocean waters.


This is a catastrophe about which people even know nothing! And the least we can do is talk about it and try to change ourselves. Change personal habits, limit plastic use, set an example for others.


Spread this material! Help us fight for Life.


© PAVEL PASHKOV

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