The Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) play a critical role in promoting the so-called “blue carbon pathway” by producing a large amount of fast-sinking faecal pellets (FPs) which facilitate the transport of CO2 through the water column. Here we assess how exposure to negatively (PS-COOH) and positively (PS-NH2) charged polystyrene nanoparticles, impacts degradation of krill FPs (i.e. change in peritrophic membrane state, Carbon concentration and Carbon/Nitrogen ratio). Our findings suggest that exposure of nanoplastics, particularly negatively charged particles, increases krill FP degradation. This can result in a potential loss of FP-sequestrated C of up to 27 %, equivalent to up 5.5 Mt. C per productive season (Spring-early Autumn). This study provides new insights into how increasing levels of plastic pollution could affect the natural capital provided by krill FPs. The effect of this emerging anthropogenic contaminant should be considered by international policies focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

中文翻译：

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塑料抵消了南极磷虾促进深海蓝碳途径的能力


南极磷虾 （Euphausia superba） 通过产生大量快速下沉的粪便颗粒 （FP） 促进 CO2 通过水柱运输，在促进所谓的“蓝碳途径”方面发挥着关键作用。在这里，我们评估了暴露于带负电荷 （PS-COOH） 和带正电荷 （PS-NH2） 的聚苯乙烯纳米颗粒如何影响磷虾 FP 的降解（即 周养膜状态、碳浓度和碳/氮比的变化）。我们的研究结果表明，纳米塑料的暴露，特别是带负电的颗粒，会增加磷虾 FP 的降解。这可能导致 FP 封存的 C 的潜在损失高达 27%，相当于每个生产季节（春季-初秋）高达 5.5 Mt. C。这项研究为塑料污染水平的增加如何影响磷虾 FP 提供的自然资本提供了新的见解。这种新出现的人为污染物的影响应在以减缓和适应气候变化为重点的国际政策中加以考虑。