Plankton Misinformation
In mid-July, a team of Scottish marine scientists made headlines with a troubling statistic. The team, led by marine biologist Dr. Howard Dryden, was quoted as saying that the Atlantic Ocean has lost 90% of its plankton. Marine plankton, which is found in all ocean ecosystems, is an essential part of the maritime food web that is responsible for producing around 50% of the Earth’s oxygen. Their elimination from the ocean would mean certain death for most life on the planet. Such a phenomenon would send tens of millions of people who rely on fish as a major part of their diet to the edge of starvation. So why hasn’t this happened?
Well, it turns out that the original report was false. After its initial publication across hundreds of news agencies and organizations, Dr. Dryden came forward to address the misrepresentation of his team’s research.
First, Dr. Dryden explained that the correct statistic is a 90% reduction in Equitorial Atlantic Ocean plankton, around a specific area at 15 degrees north latitude.
Second, the sample size used to analyze and make conclusions in the report is limited compared to other studies that collect plankton. For example, other studies have made conclusions based on collections of over 250,000 sample sizes.
Third, the data and samples were collected in an area that has a low population of visible plankton. Since the area does not yield high numbers of plankton, it is not an ideal location to estimate the rise and fall of their levels in the environment.
Finally, Dr. Dryden reported that the research his team has conducted has yet to complete any form of peer review. Peer review is an essential practice in the effort to establish good science, credible results, and a thorough understanding of the world around us. While Dr. Dryden and his team’s research may eventually be found to have made credible claims, it is up to the scientific community to evaluate them through peer reviewing, upon which published, evidence-based research is based.
Still, the health of our oceans face other risks due to climate change. Many agree that massive impacts like sea level rises, heat waves, and loss of marine biodiversity represent significant threats to the future of the planet. An in-depth list of further impacts and supporting research can be found here.
A key takeaway from this story is the need for critical thinking as well as accurate and factual reporting. Doctors, scientists, and environmentalists alike can hold each other accountable and move forward with systems like peer review and collaboration. Since science is cumulative, meaning we are constantly building upon an already established base and using that knowledge to further explore new areas, it is important that we equip ourselves with well-supported claims and a common understanding of fact.
