Novel Entities (module 10)

Question 1

Define a novel entity according to the planetary boundary framework.

Answer 1

• new substances and modified life forms that have potential for unwanted biological and geophysical effects

Question 2

Identify the 3 criteria for a pollutant to be considered a planetary boundary for novel entities.

Answer 2

1. The pollution must be irreversible or very difficult to reverse
2. The disruptive effect is only detectable at the global scale
3. The pollution must disrupt Earth system processes

Question 3

Explain at least one reason that a comprehensive set of planetary boundaries have not yet been defined for novel entities.

Answer 3

• 80% of chemical manufactured today have not been assessed for whether they are environmental threats
• can’t give them a boundary if we don’t know their impacts

Question 4

Evaluate the case for plastic pollution as a planetary boundary for novel entities, providing evidence for how it meets each of the 3 criteria.

Answer 4

criteria 1 - 90% of plastics produced have not been recycled
- 8 million metric tons of plastic waster enters the world ocean from coastal regions
- plastic alters habitats, harms wildlife, and can damage ecosystem function
- more than 800 species are affected by marine plastic pollution
- micro and macro plastic alter soil structure
criteria 2 - concentrations of the contaminant are nearly homogenous
- effects are rapidly distributed globally
criteria 3 - marine pplastic pollution has direct effects on organisms
- indirect effects as a vector or carrier of other pollutants

Question 5

Describe ways in which scientists collect data about plastic pollution

Answer 5

• Boats with large nets collect plastic
• Locations are plotted on regional maps
• Attach trackers to floating plastic waste to track their movement across the ocean

Question 6

Describe impacts of plastic pollution (MPP) on each sphere in the earth system, and explain how MPP links to the Planetary Boundaries of biosphere integrity and climate change

Answer 6

atmosphere - airborne plastics, climate impacts
hydrosphere - marine pollution, water quality
lithosphere - terrestrial pollution, soil contamination
biosphere - biodiversity impact, ecosystem disturbance
biosphere integrity - harm marine organisms, disrupt food chains, and degrade habitat quality
climate change - contributes to greenhouse gas emissions

Question 7

Identify both large-scale (policy) and small-scale (individual) solutions to the plastic pollution environmental problem.

Answer 7

Large scale - development of effective waste management in all countries, cease plastic waste trade into developing countries, strict legislation and management if fishing activity and waste
Small scale - recycle all plastics, make smarter consumer choices