Ocean biodiversity faces numerous known risks, such as climate change, acidification or marine pollution. Humanity is trying to mitigate such impacts, but the ocean will remain vulnerable. In fact, within five or ten years it is possible that new hazards will emerge that take control of marine life. With this in mind, a team of international researchers led by the University of Cambridge, Here is a list of 15 issues that will have a significant impact on marine life over the next decade.
Scientists have identified a number of issues that are currently not receiving due attention, but are likely to gain importance in the next decade. “The early identification of these issues and their potential impacts on marine and coastal biodiversity will make it possible to address the challenges facing marine ecosystems from different perspectives,” says James Herbert-Read, co-author of this paper. Nature Ecology and Evolution.
1. Forest fires
Climate change is behind the increase in forest fires and, Although they occur on land, they also have effects on the marine environment.. Forest fires as well as carbon dioxide they emit aerosols and particles with different chemical elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and trace metals such as copper, lead and iron. Subsequent winds and rains can carry all these materials over long distances and deposit them in marine ecosystems. For example, major Australian bushfires in 2020 triggered a blazing phytoplankton bloom in Antarctica, killing fish and invertebrates.
2. Shore Blackout (coastal darkening)
Light is essential for coastal ecosystems to function properly, but the ocean is getting darker. Global warming, marine pollution, storms or melting ice dim the light reaching ecosystems by clouding the water. In a moderate and limited way, ‘turning off’ the light on shores can be positive, for example it prevents bleaching of corals and reefs. But if it occurs in many places at the same time and often, it can cause degenerative stress with permanent changes in ecosystems.
3. Metal pollution, more toxic
Despite strict regulations on metal-containing contaminants for decades, these materials are very hard to find. Metals have managed to stay in sediments for very long periods of time, thanks to the constant drifting of storms or fishing activities. But the problem goes further Marine acidification caused by climate change increases the absorption and toxicity of metals in seawater and sediments.will have consequences for the marine fauna. And while it won’t have an equal impact on all organisms, one of the species most affected will be bivalves.
4. Equator “emptyed” by climate migration
Rising temperatures are making parts of the ocean increasingly uninhabitable. Species are moving towards the poles, where temperatures are more comfortable. And those living in the middle and high latitudes may be replaced by species from warmer regions. In warmer climatic regions, such as the equatorial regions, there is no longer a substitute, as those living there are the most heat tolerant species. The ecological consequences of this decline in equatorial regions are not clear, but it is likely that the ecological communities that emerged in Ecuador will not do as well as their successors to control the biological role of the entire ecosystem.
5. Changing the nutritional value of fish
The ongoing effects of climate change are affecting the production of essential fatty acids by phytoplankton. Heat is inversely proportional to the amount of essential fatty acids (including Omega-3) that plankton can form. Changes in this production, butterfly effect on the nutrient content of species that feed on themso it will have consequences for both marine predators and human health.
6. New collagen market
collagen It is a product that is increasingly in demand for cosmetic, pharmaceutical or biomedical applications. This race for collagen also led to the search for new sources. exploitation and marine organisms is one of the best alternatives. However, as the researchers point out, this new source of collagen could also undermine efforts to reduce overfishing. There are several species (sponges, jellyfish or sharks) that can provide collagen, but the most sustainable way would be to use products from the fishing industry, according to these scientists. (for example, leather, bones and decorations) can additionally contribute to the blue and circular economy.
7. New ‘luxury’ seafood
From the sea to your table. Consumption of luxury marine ‘pieces’ found a new product: fish swim bladders. The demand for this organ, also known as the fish’s jaw, that allows fish to swim, is growing, and it’s already selling for $46,000 a kilo. Scientists believe this trend is dangerous because uncontrolled search for swim bladders can encourage overfishing and the use of environmentally damaging techniques such as trawling.
8. The effect of deep fishing
Concerns about world food security have caused many countries to try to fish beyond normal. In the mesopelagic depths (200 to 1,000 meters), all kinds of fish that have never been used or consumed, such as small anglerfish, live. Actually, HeMesopelagic fish are not fit for human consumption, but can provide fishmeal for aquaculture or be used as fertilizer. The problem is these animals play a fundamental role in the carbon cycleThey are responsible for transporting CO2 accumulated in surface waters with their excrement to ‘hold’ it at depths. Mass removal of mesopelagic fish could disrupt one of the most important carbon sequestration pathways.
9. Marine lithium extraction
Demand for batteries, including for electric vehicles, will likely lead to lithium demand more than five times its current level. until 2030. Although concentrations in seawater are relatively low, some deep-sea saltwater pools are considered large lithium reserves. Therefore, they are likely to be regular extraction points. Before doing so, however, it is necessary to consider the damage it can cause, as these saltwater pools likely harbor many endemic species that have yet to be identified.
10. New marine infrastructures
The world has proposed new sea-based infrastructures, for example Offshore wind farms to meet the growing energy demand, fishing and shipping demand.. The aim is to continue to generate profits and meet human demand, optimize space and minimize environmental impacts. However, nothing is that simple. The lack of a common regulatory framework for environmental management and assessment raises doubts among scientists about the possible long-term effects of these infrastructures.
11. Floating sea cities
The concept of floating sea cities was born in the middle of the 20th century and is today It’s about to happen in the Maldives. The biggest advantage of these cities over the sea is that they will provide housing stability to thousands of families despite the rising sea level. While its design was designed to adapt without irreparable damage to marine ecosystems, scientists believe its foundations could also help increase the spread of invasive species.
12. Green energy pollution
Switching to green energy is the only way to reduce global warming. However, the increased use of electric vehicles will also bring about an increase in battery demand, which will start to increase by 10% each year. The problem is electric vehicle batteries are not usually recycled as hazardous wastealthough there is a risk of emitting certain toxic elements throughout their life cycle.
13. Monitoring of established species at depths
Scientists know very well the behavior of sea creatures that come to the surface from time to time. However, those who live in the depths and never appear are a complete unknown. But that’s about to change. MIT developed an ‘underwater GPS’ system known as ‘Underwater Backscatter Location’ or UBL. allows tracking of these elusive seabed animals with centimeter precision. But there are still unresolved issues behind this new technology, such as its impact on the behavior of animals.
14. ‘Soft’ robots to reach the sea
Named for using flexible materials inspired by living organisms, soft robots can go deeper than today’s rigid robots. These devices will assist in collecting samples in deep waters, as well as they risk leaving pollutants and debris behind in these uncharted environments. In addition, soft robots themselves can be swallowed by predatory species that mistook them for prey.
15. Effects of new biodegradable materials
Although the new biodegradable materials used seem to be the answer to global plastic pollution. But as scientists report, Many of these polymers used have not been properly evaluated for their toxicity and life cycle. The long-term and large-scale impact of the use of biodegradable materials for different products, such as clothing, on the natural environment is unknown. It has already been shown that some natural microfibers have greater toxicity than plastic ones when consumed by fish.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01812-0#ref-CR22
…..
Environment department contact address:[email protected]
Source: Informacion
