[INFORMATIVE] The Biochemical Basis of Biodiversity Loss in Aquatic Ecosystems

The Biochemical Basis of Biodiversity Loss in Aquatic Ecosystems

By: Zahriah Howe

    People throw their trash into many of our bodies of water with no regard, not knowing that they are the starters of an unseen war happening beneath the surface. These artifacts disrupt the balance of biochemical processes. But what is really happening on these invisible battlegrounds, and how can we launch our attack and win to sustain the diversity being lost?

Impact of Pollutants on Biochemical Cycles
    Pollutants in biochemical cycles can range from chemically enriched man-made products to even nutrients. Pollution puts a great deal of pressure on marine ecosystems, as humans throw any form of trash into the ocean without any regard for marine life.

    Studies show that water pollution has increased through 2015-2017. We are at 63% when it comes to the process of polluting drinking water and 57% for the pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Studies also show that nitrogen pollution and the dumping of human pesticide waste can lead to the scarcity of clean water as of the year 2050.

    Some countries continue to discard their garbage by dumping it into the ocean. A vast majority of plastics take decades to degrade, and even then, they release microplastics into the water, which is harmful to wildlife and the entire ecosystem. On top of that, other materials, such as metals, pesticides, food leftovers, paper, and many more, are thrown out and released into these habitats. Heavy metals, plastics, and pesticides have been shown to adversely impact the natural biochemical reactions in the brain, reproductive organs, respiratory system, and immune system of certain animals in these habitats, which can harm or kill them and their offspring.

    Additionally, irresponsible removal of waste on land can impact aquatic wildlife. Changes in the climate and higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere lead to acidification of oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water, which can disrupt the natural functioning of the animal kingdom and lead to a loss of biodiversity in many cases from the endangerment of species due to the decrease in water quality. Soil can also release harmful chemicals into waterways regularly, or it can be triggered by things like acid rain or human activities like mining or farming, which deal with pesticides and methane gas.

    Furthermore, persistent organic chemicals (POPs) on Earth can change the life expectancy of animals throughout the food chain, affecting metabolism, immune systems, and natural detoxification. In animals that often live long, POPs can heighten the morbidity rates and change the way the environment works. With the increasing levels of POPs, in addition to the man-made pollutants that impact the mortality of animals throughout the planet, it is reasonable to conclude that these unnatural levels of harmful chemicals can lead to the downfall of many ecosystems.

    As the world continues to intentionally and unintentionally endanger aquatic life, there is a risk of losing many essential organic functions, which can change the way humans eat and live. There are currently over two thousand endangered species, and it is estimated that even more will make the list as water pollution and pH increase, air quality decreases, and climate change impacts the globe.


Sources:
Sigmund, Gabriel, et al. “Addressing chemical pollution in biodiversity research.” Global Change Biology, vol. 29, no. 12, Apr. 2023, pp. 3240–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16689.

McCarthy, By Justin. “In U.S., Water Pollution Worries Highest Since 2001.” Gallup.com, 21 Aug. 2024, news.gallup.com/poll/207536/water-pollution-worries-highest-2001.aspx.

“Endangered Ocean.” Smithsonian Ocean, 9 Feb. 2024, ocean.si.edu/conservation/solutions-success-stories/endangered-ocean#:~:text=From%20snails%20to%20whales%2C%20approximately,Endangered%20Species%20Act%20(ESA).

Scherer, Glenn. “Pollution poses big risks to global clean water supplies, study shows.” Mongabay Environmental News, 6 Mar. 2024, news.mongabay.com/2024/03/pollution-poses-big-risks-to-global-clean-water-supplies-study-shows.