“Rising Ocean Toxins: How Climate Change is Amplifying the Impact of Trace Elements”
A recent study conducted by scientists at GEOMAR has revealed that melting glaciers, thawing permafrost, and coastal erosion are contributing to the release of more mercury into the ocean. This increase in mercury, along with other trace metals like lead and arsenic, poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems.
The study warns that factors such as ocean warming and acidity can enhance the bioavailability of these trace elements, making them more toxic over time. While these elements can naturally occur in coastal areas, human activities such as agriculture and industrial manufacturing have significantly increased their concentrations in the ocean.
Sylvia Sander, a professor of marine mineral resources at GEOMAR, highlighted the impact of human activities on the global flow of toxic metals. She stated that toxic elements like silver, originating from coal combustion and the use of silver nanoparticles in antibacterial products, are increasingly detectable in coastal waters.
The researchers found that rising sea levels, ocean warming, melting sea ice, drying river beds, and ocean acidification all play roles in the transport and accumulation of trace elements, both natural and human-induced. The effects of climate change on the distribution of these elements were published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
In addition to natural sources, trace elements from human activities such as fossil fuel and industry emissions, shipping, and plastics are contaminating the environment. As ocean temperatures rise, the bioavailability of these trace elements increases, making it easier for marine life to absorb them. Copper, in particular, can become extremely toxic to marine life in higher concentrations.
A recent report on planetary vital signs confirmed that ocean warming and acidification have reached record extremes in recent years. The authors of the new study on trace elements emphasized the need for further research on the interactions between pollutants and climate change. They called for expanding research on new contaminants, increasing geographical coverage, and implementing laws and risk assessments on trace elements.
Rebecca Zitoun, co-lead author of the study and a marine chemist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, stressed the importance of closing knowledge gaps to understand the impacts of pollutants on ecosystems and human health. She called for the development of standardized methods to provide globally comparable data.
As the threat of trace elements in the ocean continues to grow, it is crucial for researchers, policymakers, and the public to work together to address this pressing environmental issue. Subscribe to EcoWatch for exclusive updates on environmental issues and solutions.