How plastic waste moves in the Environment
Washington State University did a study on how microplastic fibers are moving through the environment.
Millions of plastic waste float around Earth's oceans, even in microscopic forms, which even though they are super small, marine animals end up eating them and dying. The plastic typically comes from cosmetic items, clothing, industrial processes, and packaging. A scientist by the name of Engdahl wondered whether the plastic roamed around or if it all remained in one general area. Whereas he still does not know the answer to his question, he knows it will accurately measure the environmental impact of the plastic. However, he did find that the movement of shorter microscopic plastic fibers were more complex and traveled faster than substances that dissolved in water.
I always knew plastic affected the health and safety of marine life, but I always thought it was big plastics, such as those from soda can packaging. Hearing that plastic so small to be considered microscopic creates a similar impact is crazy to think about.
Millions of plastic waste float around Earth's oceans, even in microscopic forms, which even though they are super small, marine animals end up eating them and dying. The plastic typically comes from cosmetic items, clothing, industrial processes, and packaging. A scientist by the name of Engdahl wondered whether the plastic roamed around or if it all remained in one general area. Whereas he still does not know the answer to his question, he knows it will accurately measure the environmental impact of the plastic. However, he did find that the movement of shorter microscopic plastic fibers were more complex and traveled faster than substances that dissolved in water.
I always knew plastic affected the health and safety of marine life, but I always thought it was big plastics, such as those from soda can packaging. Hearing that plastic so small to be considered microscopic creates a similar impact is crazy to think about.
Post a link to the article, please.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a crazy that the plastic can be so small and still affect the marine life. I think we should find a way to stop plastic getting into the ocean or at least try to reduce the amount.
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