Safeguarding the seas: how the chemical industry can prevent marine microbiome disruption

December 2024 | ISOLVENTS CHEMICALS | Bianca Delport

Marine life within the oceans is amongst the most biodiverse on the planet, providing around 15% of animal produce to humans. The ocean also regulates 25% of global carbon emissions, contributing 50% of oxygen into the atmosphere, combatting the ever-growing negative effects of climate change.

Therefore, it is unsurprising that safeguarding the Earth’s largest water supply and ensuring the health of its marine life should be among our top priorities.

Plastic, chemical pollution, and climate change are the three most common concerns affecting ocean health and the marine ecosystem.

We know about the overwhelmingly visible threat of plastic, especially with a standard global search providing images of plastic straws in a turtle's nostrils or plastic waste wrapped around a penguin's neck. But do we understand the invisible threat provided by chemicals?

Chemicals can cause an imbalance in the precious marine ecosystems and overwhelm the marine microbiome.

What is the Marine Microbiome?

Some original lifeforms within the ocean include microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protists. Together, these microorganisms interact with one another to form a community known as a microbiome.

Like humans, these microorganisms live together in their habitat and can work together to perform various tasks that contribute to marine life. For instance, we can relate the marine microbiome to an efficiently run factory with various production lines.

The production line (nutrient cycling)

Just as a factory can convert raw materials from the Earth into finished products; similarly, the microorganisms of the marine microbiome partake in nutrient cycling.

Bacteria can break down organic matter, like marine plants, fecal matter, and dead marine organisms, such as plankton, fish, and other mammals. Nutrients like carbon, nitrogen and sulfur can be made available from this organic matter to be used by other marine organisms.

Energy generation (primary production)

A constant energy supply is needed to power the machinery in a factory and produce goods. The marine microbiome plays a role in the ocean's primary production by contributing energy to the rest of the ecosystem.

Photosynthetic microorganisms, like phytoplankton, convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is vital for supporting the ocean's diverse marine life and contributing to the oxygen supply of our oceans.

Waste management (decomposition)

Factories rely on waste management to dispose of any production line byproducts. The microbiome contains decomposers to break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients, thereby managing the waste of the ocean and supporting its ecosystem by conserving the nutrients within.

Quality control (pathogen defense)

A quality control department is important for any factory to prevent defects and ensure that the end products are safe. The marine microbiome contains organisms that can produce antimicrobial compounds, which can kill or inhibit the growth of other threatening microorganisms.

These compounds can, therefore, protect marine life from harmful pathogens and maintain the health and quality of the marine ecosystem.

How can chemical industries safeguard the seas?

A study conducted by Focardi et al. showed how the microbiome population can decrease 10-fold due to exposure to chemical additives. The decrease of these organisms affected their photosynthetic abilities and nutrient cycling.

They could not maintain the microbiome's health or support the other organisms in their environment. Therefore, the entire ecosystem was less stable as a result (Amaranta Focardi, 2022).

Chemical industries can implement several steps to safeguard this marine microbiome factory and ensure its continuation in the future:

1. Reducing pollution – ensuring waste management protocols are followed by minimizing the introduction of waste chemicals into marine environments. All waste should be correctly treated throughout the process.
2. Generation of eco-friendly products – production of materials that can biodegrade naturally and harmlessly. Prioritizing research and education on environmentally friendly products. Using plant-based or recyclable packaging.
3. Sustainable practices – using renewable energy sources like solar and wind, recycling water, and minimizing waste throughout production.
4. Environmental regulations – compliance with guidelines for proper chemical handling. Educating and training employees on best practices.
5. The role of iSolvents – As a leading chemical supplier in South Africa, iSolvents is dedicated to environmental protection. They constantly improve their practices to ensure that industry operations are sustainable and environmentally friendly, minimizing any disruptions to marine ecosystems.

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