Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/plastic-pollution-ants/

Plastic pollution is a global menace, a growing concern that transcends borders and ecosystems. While we’ve long associated plastic entanglement with marine life, a recent discovery suggests that the issue runs deeper.

Ants, often regarded as resilient ground-dwellers, are not immune to this synthetic threat.

Plastic Finds Its Way into the World of Ants

Canary Island ants, known for their adaptability, have unwittingly become victims of our plastic problem. Scientists researching ants on the volcanic island of La Palma stumbled upon a startling revelation – ants wrapped in plastic fibers. These synthetic entanglements pose a disquieting question: How far-reaching is the ecological impact of plastic waste on terrestrial insects?

In a study published in Ecological Entomology, researchers collected ants from diverse habitats on La Palma. Among these tiny inhabitants, two ant species, Lasius grandis and Monomorium sp., were ensnared in plastic fibers. The fibers, found around the ants’ bodies and legs, were confirmed to be made of plastic.

The source of these pollutants? Nearby roads and hiking trails, where plastic particles are carried by the wind to unsuspecting ecosystems.

Ants Uncover a New Dimension of Plastic Pollution

The entanglement of ants in plastic fibers is not just a curiosity; it’s a stark wake-up call. As Science News reports, plastics in the environment have long been associated with aquatic ecosystems, with marine animals being the most visible victims. However, plastics are not confined to the oceans and rivers; they’ve seeped into soils and terrestrial habitats, with a potential domino effect on terrestrial fauna.

Other studies have documented the presence of microplastics in soils and their interactions with various soil organisms, including earthworms, springtails, and mites. While these studies have uncovered the negative effects of plastics on these creatures, ants were an overlooked aspect of this puzzle, until now.

This interaction between ants and plastics could result in unforeseen ecological consequences, especially as ants are essential ecosystem engineers, reports PLOS.

Ants as Active Transporters of Microplastics

Another study exploring the effects of ant activity on microplastics transport reveals some eye-opening findings. Not only can ants actively carry low-density polyethylene microplastics (MPs), but they also do so with surprising efficiency. In the field, two ant species, Pheidole sp. and Paratrechina sp., were observed transporting plastic microparticles for distances of nearly 2.5 feet, on average.

Laboratory experiments reinforced these findings, as ants displayed a preference for carrying leaf fragments and the plastic microparticles over tiny stones. After 14 days, ants had removed 15.8% of the plastic, 19.15% of leaf fragments, and 3.3% of tiny stones.

The Broader Implications of Plastic-Carrying Ants

The impact of ants in the context of plastic pollution is only beginning to be understood. These tiny creatures, with their extensive networks and foraging patterns, could be unwittingly dispersing microplastics across terrestrial environments.

Given the global prevalence of ants and their ability to cover substantial distances, their contribution to the spread of microplastics could have vast implications for the future.

As we recognize the hidden effects of plastics in the world of ants, it’s clear that greater awareness and action are needed. By reducing plastic waste and its impact on the environment, we can minimize the unintended consequences on these industrious little insects and the ecosystems they inhabit.

It’s time to rethink the plastic-ant connection and take steps towards a cleaner, healthier future for all.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog