Microplastics are everywhere – not only in seawater and coastal sands, but likewise in bottom sediments, the atmosphere and even living organisms, according to “Postimees.” Although these particles are not visible to the naked eye, their impact reaches our food, drinking water and also affects human health.
Scientists are raising the alarm: the problem of microplastics in the Baltic Sea is underestimated. And in the near future, a completely invisible and more dangerous pollutant – nanoplastics – will appear. “Everything we introduce into the environment and the sea eventually returns to us through the cycle – through food, water, air and the entire environment,” explains Natalia Buhalko, a researcher at the Marine Ecology Laboratory of the Marine Systems Institute of TalTech. “Microplastics are not a distant or abstract problem – it directly affects our health, well-being and future. The sooner we start solving this problem, the greater our chances of preserving the world’s seas and keeping ourselves healthier.” The microplastic problem in the Baltic Sea is worsening and scientists believe it is often underestimated. “The Baltic Sea is a semi-closed body of water where water exchange occurs very slowly. This means that everything that gets here, including microplastics, stays here for an extremely long time, sometimes forever,” Buhalko notes. “Microplastics are not just small pieces of plastic; they contain additives used in plastic production that can affect both marine organisms and terrestrial animals, as well as us.” For example, bacteria, fungi, dangerous chemicals and heavy metals easily attach to the surface of microplastics, effectively turning them into a transport platform for pathogens and harmful substances.
Bacteria easily attach to the surface of microplastics
“Microplastics affect plankton, fish, birds and benthic fauna. It has been found that it can change animal behavior, energy levels and even reproductive capacity,” says Natalia Buhalko. These particles have been found in seawater and bottom sediments, as well as in fish, shellfish and other organisms in the Baltic Sea. “They are also found in beach sand and even in the air – this means that the particles are transported not only by water but also by wind, and they can reach various parts of the environment much further than one might expect,” she adds. According to the scientist, one of the most alarming discoveries was the detection of microplastics in areas with minimal human activity, highlighting the speed and range at which plastic can travel and the difficulty in pinpointing its origin. “We also notice that the amount of microplastics can change rapidly over time: strong storms, floods or seasonal changes in water levels can bring as much waste into the sea in a few days as normally accumulates there in months,” says Natalia Buhalko.
The invisible pollutant
“In the coming years, nanoplastics will attract increasing attention. These are even smaller particles that are difficult to detect and can penetrate cells and tissues more deeply than microplastics,” warns Buhalko. “Research on nanoplastics is already underway, but it requires a much deeper approach, better analytical methods and unified protocols.” Scientists also believe that more thorough research is needed on the actual impact of microplastics on the physiology, metabolism, behavior and food chains of organisms.
“These research areas already exist, but they are becoming more systematic in order to reach stronger conclusions regarding both environmental and health risks,” notes the marine ecologist. “The connection between microplastics and socio-economic models is also an crucial achievement of this research, allowing us to assess the economic impact of plastic pollution, health risks and the costs associated with reducing emissions.” Microplastics cross borders, meaning they cannot be studied in just one country or laboratory. “Collaboration between scientists is very important: it allows us to share methods, data and experience, as well as to create European-scale monitoring networks,” emphasizes Natalia Buhalko.
New scientists
Natalia Buhalko is convinced that the marine sector needs more young scientists than ever before. “The Baltic Sea is like a living laboratory complex: rapidly changing, exciting for scientific research and yet fragile.” Young people who choose to study marine ecology or marine systems can focus their knowledge on truly important issues: how to ensure sustainable sea conservation, protect biodiversity and reduce the impact of human activity. “This field offers scientific challenges, international cooperation opportunities and a clear understanding that your work is making a real difference,” the expert confirms. As an example of a new generation of scientists, Buhalko cites Ida Virunurm, a student at the Geology Institute of TalTech, studying land systems, climate and technology, who became interested in microplastics during an internship. “The topic of my bachelor’s thesis was microplastics in the surface layer of the sea,” the student explains. According to her, the most interesting thing is how new and rapidly progressing this field of science is: “Plastic began to spread widely around the world only in the mid-20th century, even as the existence of microplastics was discovered at the beginning of this century.” As this is a relatively new topic, research on the amount of microplastics and its impact is needed and interesting. An important component of her training is research in the outdoor environment, which gives the topic a more concrete dimension. “It’s a completely different experience – to see for yourself that the sample collected with a net in the sea actually contains pieces of plastic and various fibers, rather than simply analyzing samples brought to the laboratory by someone else,” Virunurm notes. Since autumn, she has also been collecting samples from rainwater drains in Tallinn: “In one sampling location where rainwater flows directly into the sea, we found a couple of hundred small plastic particles in twenty liters of water. This experience makes you think about how much plastic actually ends up in the sea.”
Millions of tons
Global plastic production has already grown to more than 380 million tons per year. More plastic has been produced in the last ten years than in the entire 20th century. The service life of many plastic products (plastic bottles, bags, containers, synthetic fibers) is short compared to their lifespan after use. According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide, resulting in an increasing amount of waste entering the environment each year. According to data from the Estonian Statistics Department, the volume of plastic packaging waste in Estonia almost doubled by 2021 compared to 2004. However, the waste generation curve has decreased in recent years, with volumes decreasing: 66,000 tons of plastic packaging waste were generated in 2017, compared to 50,000 tons in 2021. Per capita, the annual volume of plastic packaging waste in Estonia increased from 21.2 kg in 2004 to 37.6 kg in 2021, ranking Estonia seventh among European Union countries. More waste is generated in Ireland (74.1 kg per capita), Portugal (41.3 kg), Germany (41.1 kg), Denmark (39.3 kg), Sweden (39.1 kg) and Italy (38.4 kg). Along with the increase in plastic packaging waste generation in Estonia, recycling has also increased. In 2004, 2.6 kg were recycled per capita, while in 2021 this figure increased to 16 kg. However, waste generation is increasing faster than its recycling.
