Microplastics reduce photosynthesis, threatening food security

New research shows that microplastics may reduce photosynthesis rates by up to 18 percent. An international team analyzed data from 157 studies, finding that this reduction affects various plant types and could significantly impact crop and seafood production. The study estimates annual losses of 109.73 to 360.87 million metric tons in crops and 1.05 to 24.33 million metric tons in seafood. These reductions could threaten food security and ecological health as photosynthesis is vital for both. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings. They call for action to reduce microplastic pollution, linking it to global hunger and sustainability efforts. The research is published in PNAS.