Thursday, March 28, 2024

New Research Highlights the Devastating impact Of Plastic On Marine Life

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New research conducted by Queen’s University Belfast has highlighted the devastating impact microplastics are wreaking on the environment through their impact on hermit crabs.

Building on previous research, findings have shown that hermit crabs exposed to microplastics have their ability hindered during shell fights, a mechanism crucial to their survival.

During shell fights, crabs will evict one another from a shell. However, researchers have found that attacking crabs lacked the aggression needed to conduct a successful attack after exposure to microplastics. In contrast, defending crabs had their ability to assess their attacker degraded, reducing their tendency to give up their shell.

According to the principal investigator on the project, Dr. Garth Arnott:

“This study provides an insight into the potential for microplastics to alter important aspects of animal behavior that are critical for survival and reproduction. We need to further investigate how microplastics affect their behaviour and the consequences, armed with this knowledge to advocate for change to protect our ecosystem.”

Read the study here or watch the video below.

 

Sam Helmy
Sam Helmyhttps://www.deeperblue.com
Sam Helmy is a TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer, and PADI Staff and Trimix Instructor. Diving for 28 years, a dive pro for 14, I have traveled extensively chasing my passion for diving. I am passionate about everything diving, with a keen interest in exploration, Sharks and big stuff, Photography and Decompression theory. Diving is definitely the one and only passion that has stayed with me my whole life! Sam is a Staff Writer for DeeperBlue.com

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