 |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
Where does all the plastic go?A team of experts has carried out research which proves – for the first time – that oceans and shores are now contaminated with microscopic plastics and fibres. Eight scientists from the Universities of Plymouth and Southampton and the Plymouth-based Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science has today published a paper detailing their research in the prestigious international journal Science. The results of the project, which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust, show that oceans and shorelines are now contaminated with microscopic plastic fragments. In addition, large items of plastic debris are known to be accumulating in the oceans and on beaches, harming marine life including turtles, fish, seabirds and mammals. Microscopic fragments and fibres (around 20 microns in diameter) of nylon, polyethylene acrylic and other synthetic polymers are also now widespread in the oceans and in marine sediments. These polymers are used for a wide range of domestic and industrial products including clothing, packaging and rope so it appears that the fragments have formed from the breakdown of larger items. Using plankton samples archived by the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, the research team has proved that the abundance of this type of material has increased significantly over the last 40 years. Speaking about the research, Dr Richard Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Marine Ecology at the University of Plymouth, said: "Given the durability of plastics and the disposable nature of many plastic items, this type of contamination is likely to increase. Our team, based in the School of Biological Sciences at Plymouth, is now working to identify the possible environmental consequences of this new form of contamination." ENDS Notes to Editors
|
|||||||||||||
