Ocean Acidification and Plastic Pollution as Accelerating Planetary Boundaries

🌊Ocean acidification and plastic pollution, identified as potential planetary boundary threats, pose escalating risks to the well-being of global societies and ecosystems. Since the Industrial Revolution, surface oceans have experienced a concerning acidification of approximately 0.1 units, while the influx of plastic into the ocean reached a staggering 13 million metric tonnes in 2018. Both threats, with their roots in anthropogenic activities, continue to exacerbate, demanding urgent attention and comprehensive understanding.

🔍The new research study (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158683) shows the impact of plastic leaching on the biogeochemistry of the ocean. Through laboratory experiments, they found that abiotic plastic degradation triggers a notable decrease in seawater pH, particularly in the case of aged plastic resembling that found in the ocean. Solar radiation further expands this pH decrease, suggesting a dynamic interplay between plastic weathering and environmental conditions.

💧The observed pH reduction appears to be a result of a combination of factors, including the release of organic acids and the production of CO2 during plastic degradation. Notably, the extent of seawater acidification correlates with the amount of leached dissolved organic carbon, emphasizing the pivotal role of plastic leaching in altering the chemical composition of the ocean.

🌍In regions where plastic debris accumulates significantly, such as coastal areas, the potential impact on seawater pH could be substantial, with projections indicating a decrease of up to 0.5 units. This level of acidification parallels the pessimistic anthropogenic projections for surface oceans by the end of the twenty-first century, underscoring the urgency of addressing plastic pollution as a key contributor to the ongoing crisis of ocean acidification.

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