Microplastics disrupt photosynthesis.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Microplastics have become a global pollution problem. They are present in the air, soil, water, and even infiltrate the food chain.

Researchers are estimating the impact of microplastics on crop growth worldwide (Photo: PNAS).

A recent international study has highlighted the serious harm that microplastics cause to photosynthesis, estimating that they can reduce the rate of photosynthesis in plants by up to 18%.

Using data from 157 previous studies, the scientific team applied machine learning technology to analyze the impact of microplastics on the growth of terrestrial plants, marine algae, and freshwater algae.

The results showed that the rate of photosynthesis decreased by an average of 7.05% to 12.12%, while the concentration of chlorophyll a, a key pigment in photosynthesis, decreased by up to 18.25% in freshwater algae.

In Europe, wheat is the main crop experiencing a decline in production due to the impact of microplastics. In the US, other crops significantly affected include corn and potatoes. Estimated annual losses range from 109.73 to 360.87 million tons of crops and from 1.05 to 24.33 million tons of seafood.

Researchers say the statistics serve as a warning about the enormous impact of microplastics on food security and ecosystems. Accordingly, the decline in photosynthesis not only threatens food production but also affects ecosystems and atmospheric quality.

Photosynthesis has long been a vital process for increasing oxygen levels, reducing CO₂, and forming the foundation of the global food chain. A significant decline in photosynthetic efficiency means a potential negative impact on humans and ecosystems on Earth.

The study also serves as a wake-up call about the harmful impact of microplastics on the planet. Scientists are calling for urgent action to remove microplastics from the environment and stop the pollution now.

Accordingly, policies to reduce plastic waste should be integrated into sustainable development initiatives to protect the planet and ensure global food security.

However, scientists emphasize that the above estimates may be affected by the process of scaling up data from small-scale studies. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm the results and further strengthen this argument.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/vi-nhua-pha-vo-quang-hop-20250317110451943.htm