An international team of scientists from India, Spain, UAE and Norway conducted a comprehensive study of different types of marine debris harboring invasive (alien) organisms. The article was published in the scientific journal magazine Marine Pollution Bulletin (MPB).
Experts analyzed waste made of plastic, glass, rubber, foam rubber, fabric, metal and wood to understand how these objects helped outside flora and fauna take over the area and displace local residents.
They discovered more than 3,100 specimens representing 17 different species and several colonies of invasive organisms. Among them were most often bryozoans, various shells and oysters.
“Highly buoyant litter items such as bottles, buoys and plastic bags contained large communities of macroinvertebrates, indicating that they could be transported long distances,” said Dr Gunasekaran Kannan, lead author of the study.
Researchers say they have documented for the first time that marine debris is helping the spread of invasive species in India. Scientists have called for urgent action to combat plastic waste and related threats.
Previous scientists I learnedFloating marine debris allowed coastal species to colonize offshore.