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The invisible invasion: the study of microplastics dynamics and biological interactions in marine benthos
Original title: The invisible invasion: the study of microplastics dynamics and biological interactions in marine benthos
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This Dutch-language dissertation examines microplastic distribution and behavior in marine benthic environments, exploring interactions with sediment characteristics and fauna including bioturbation effects. The work highlights methodological challenges in detecting small microplastics and calls for standardized protocols to advance marine sediment microplastic research.
Plastic heeft het moderne leven ingrijpend veranderd, maar de grootschalige productie en de lage recyclagegraad leiden tot toenemende milieuproblemen. Sinds de introductie is de wereldwijde plasticproductie sterk gestegen, tot 359 miljoen ton in 2018, en men verwacht dat dit tegen 2060 meer dan 1.000 miljoen ton zal bedragen. Een aanzienlijk deel van het plastic afval wordt niet correct beheerd en komt via afstroming, industriële lozingen, afvalwater en andere routes in het mariene milieu terecht. Eens in de oceaan breekt plastic af tot microplastics (MPs, <5 mm), die ondertussen in alle mariene habitats teruggevonden worden – van het zeeoppervlak tot in diepe zeesedimenten. Zeesedimenten, die meer dan 80% van de oceaanbodem bedekken, vormen belangrijke opslagplaatsen voor MPs, maar kennen ook complexe dynamieken. Stromingen, sedimenttype en biologische activiteit beïnvloeden de begraving, herverdeling en mogelijke terugkeer van MPs naar de waterkolom. Interacties met organismen die in de zeebodem leven (benthos) kunnen het gedrag van MPs verder beïnvloeden via opname, bioturbatie en fragmentatie. Ondanks intensief onderzoek blijven er belangrijke uitdagingen bestaan – vooral wat betreft de detectie en kwantificering van kleine MPs, die erg gevoelig zijn voor contaminatie en analytisch moeilijk te onderscheiden zijn. Dit proefschrift onderzoekt de verspreiding en het gedrag van MPs in benthische omgevingen, evenals hun interacties met sedimentkarakteristieken en mariene fauna. Daarnaast worden belangrijke methodologische beperkingen besproken, zoals variatie in staalnametechnieken en risico’s op contaminatie. De bevindingen bieden nieuwe inzichten in hoe MPs zich verspreiden in zeesedimenten en hoe ze interageren met benthische gemeenschappen, en onderstrepen de nood aan gestandaardiseerde protocollen en verbeterde laboratoriumpraktijken om het microplasticonderzoek verder te ontwikkelen.
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