Old Dominion University

The Impact of Face Masks on Aquatic Life

Natasha Walker

BIO 293, Cell Biology

Professor Keirra Dillard-Wilkins

9 April 2023

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The wonderful world of science has enabled us to live in ways we do not always take time to appreciate. For instance, the air we breathe is thanks to many environmental sources, one of the largest of which is due to unicellular a protist alga called diatoms. Diatoms work together throughout the world to create approximately twenty percent of usable oxygen. Diatoms are vast, with estimates of up to two million different species. Diatoms are abundantly present in water sources, most notably, the ocean as well as in soil (Diatoms, 2023). Because they are capable of producing their own sustenance to survive by way of the sun, through photosynthesis, diatoms are primary producers. Primary producers provide the basis for all other levels of life on planet earth, without them, we would not exist. Primary producers are the ground level of the trophic pyramid, or, what I like to explain as the reverse food chain. Primary producers, which are autotrophs, feed primary consumers such as plant consuming animals, or herbivores. Primary consumers feed secondary consumers, for example, a rabbit providing a meal for a bear. Secondary consumers provide a food source for tertiary consumers, commonly known as apex predator. Thus, without diatoms and other important primary consumers, no other life forms would exist (Trophic level, 2021).  

One species of diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, is under study for its uses in the field of biotechnology, specifically, for its potential use in biofuel. This species of diatom is stocked full of fatty acids, and more specifically, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which make it eligible for consideration in the use of biodiesel. According to researchers, FAMEs are susceptible to environmental disturbances because diatoms adapt and can change their expression of fatty acids, so although Phaeodactylum tricornutum produced the correct composition of fatty acids in laboratory settings, other diatoms will be explored (Branco-Vieira et al., 2017). In order for this diatom to be used in industrial settings the integrity and consistency of FAME production needs to be considered.                  

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Phaeodactylum tricornutum has been investigated by scientists for over a hundred years (Sabir et al., 2018). Phaeodactylum tricornutum can sustain itself by way of limited carbon and limited sunlight, this process is what contributes to its richness of fatty acids. By experimenting with different levels of light and carbon, researchers hope to find the most suitable recipe to enable Phaedactylum tricornutum for industrial use (Villanova et al., 2017).  

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a new way of life for many of us and evidence has suggested that its reaches may impact diatoms. With the uptick of personal protection equipment such as masks and the already problematic ocean pollution, researchers set out to evaluate how masks could affect diatoms. In one study, phaeodctylum tricornutum was exposed to water that had been exposed to masks. To do this, researchers bought standard blue and white face masks from a pharmacy in Spain. They wanted to evaluate if there was a difference in the products released between whole masks and fragmented masks so some of the masks were cut into pieces and separated by each layer. Then, water from Cadiz Bay was collected and filtered. The masks, both whole and those that were fragmented were then placed in separate containers of water for one month. After one month’s time, the water was tested to determine the number of fibers and fragments in each sample to include the concentration of various metals. Then this water was then introduced to phaeodctylum tricornutum. Over the course of 72 hours scientist measured the cell density and volume of the algae using various detectors. The amount of photosynthetic energy produced by the algae was also recorded. The fragmented masks were shown to have released magnesium, zinc, and nitrogen in solution creating a toxic environment during the month the masks were in the water. It was noted that manganese was the first element of note to begin leaching out of the fragments, followed by zinc, and then nickel. Alcohols and amine compounds were also found to be present.

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The diatoms that were exposed to this toxic water had a significant reduction in cell density, specifically the samples of algae which were exposed to the water that had contained fragmented samples of masks. Cell density was reduced by 53.09% when compared to the control group. In figure 6A and 6B of the paper published by Sedra et al., both effective quantum yield and electron transport rate were measured. Each were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Most significantly the figures highlight the differences between controls and those of the whole masks and fragmented masks signifying a reduction of both measures at 24 and 48 hours, however, measures improved at the 72 hour mark (Sedra et al., 2022).  

This research illuminates the severe impact face masks can have on the marine environment. Of particular concern is the amount of polypropylene microfibers present and the impact they can have on aquatic animals. Of note, zebrafish exposed to water that contains microfibers have experienced genetic changes impacting their reproductive genes. Similarly, toxic effects were seen in the algae exposed to mask water, which could result a devastating aftermath for the entire aquatic community. And though in the lab, fragmented masks were most potent, researchers highlight the need to consider that aquatic environments are much harsher and can cause whole masks to break down and yield the same effects as fragmented ones (Sedra et al., 2022).

This method of experimentation is key to understanding the threat that masks can have and could be applied to test the toxic affects of other pollutants as well. For instance, it could be interesting to examine the differences between the standard blue and white face masks compared to heavier masks such as KN95 masks. I would predict the KN95 masks to have a greater impact because they contain more layers than the ones tested in the study by Sedra et al.

In summary, due to the impact face masks can have on the environment, it is vital that we take great care to prevent them from ending up in our oceans, rivers, and lakes. Preventing all forms of pollution, but especially pollution from microfibers should be a priority.

References

Branco-Vieira, M., San Martin, S., Argurto, C., Santos, M., Caetano, N. S., & Freitas, M. A. V. (2017, November 2). Analyzing phaeodactylum tricornutum lipid profile for biodiesel production. Energy Procedia. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610217352013

Sendra, Marta, et al.. “Products released from surgical face masks can provoke cytotoxicity in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum” Science of The Total Environment, vol. 841, no. Issue, 2022, pp. 156611, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156611. (has missing data)

Diatoms. UWL Website. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/ramsby_jord/adaptation.htm

Sabir, J. S. M., Theriot, E. C., Manning, S. R., Al-Malki, A. L., Khiyami, M. A., Al-Ghamdi, A. K., Sabir, M. J., Romanovicz, D. K., Hajrah, N. H., Omri, A. E., Jansen, R. K., & Ashworth, M. P. (2018). Phylogenetic analysis and a review of the history of the accidental phytoplankter, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Bohlin (bacillariophyta). PLOS ONE. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0196744

“Trophic level” Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online, 2019, November 17, https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/trophic-level. (has missing data)

Villanova, Valeria, et al.. “Investigating mixotrophic metabolism in the model diatom
Phaeodactylum tricornutum” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 372, no. 1728, 2017, pp. 20160404, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0404.