A joint research between the Isla del Coco National Park and the National University (UNA) seeks to delve into the presence of microplastics in living organisms. The objective of the project is to evaluate the possible presence of this pollutant in marine environments and the island’s fresh water to assess the state of pollution in Marine Protected Areas (known as AMP).
Karol Ulate, who coordinates the research, has evaluated other protected areas in the Pacific north of Costa Rica. The results of these investigations, in addition to taking a long time to obtain samples in natural environments, also entail an arduous process in laboratory analysis. But it is expected to obtain indicators of ecosystem health of our MPAs, to monitor the potential threats that exist on both marine and terrestrial fauna,”
explained an informative report of the Isla del Coco National Park, sent this Monday.
According to biologists and scientists, the physical effects of microplastics in humans are poorly understood, but preliminary research has shown several potentially worrying impacts, including: the inflammatory response and the alteration of the intestinal microbiome in the presence of microplastics.
In addition, there may be a transfer of chemical contaminants adsorbed by the microplastic and a danger of the toxicity of the plastic particles.