Dolphins Are Exhaling Microplastics
New research highlights how extensive plastic pollution is—and how nonhuman species, including dolphins, are exposed......»»
Global study details microplastics contamination in lakes and reservoirs
Around 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. But that is not the only water source where plastic represents a significant intrusion......»»
Team finds plastic-associated metalloids in the urban river environments of Mongolia
A team led by researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University studied how microplastics in the environment accumulate heavy metals. As the microplastics spread, so does their toxic cargo. Focusing on polystyrene foam, the team collected particles alon.....»»
Signs of the human era, from nuclear fallout to microplastics
As scientists make the case that humans have fundamentally transformed the planet enough to warrant our own geological epoch, another question arises: is there anything left untouched by humanity's presence?.....»»
Amazon dolphins at risk from fishing, dams and dredging
Research shows Amazon river dolphins are under threat from fishing and proposed new dams and dredging. Scientists have used satellite tags to track eight dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon, to discover where they went in relation to fishing areas and pr.....»»
Begging dolphins prompt calls to reform recreational fishing
University of Queensland researchers have found bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay off Brisbane could be teaching other dolphins to "beg" for food from recreational fishers, with the behavior creating short and long-term risks......»»
A new species of early toothed whale helps us understand the history of modern dolphins
Have you ever wondered what the earliest ancestors of today's dolphins looked like? Then look no further, meet Olympicetus thalassodon, a new species of early odontocete, or toothed whale, that swam along the North Pacific coastline around 28 million.....»»
"Time bomb"?: Race to identify health effects of microplastics
Tiny pieces of plastic have been found littered throughout human bodies, trapped in our lungs and laced through our blood, but the long-term health effects of this exposure remain unclear......»»
Researchers identify homogenization of microplastics in rivers of Qilian Mountain
The distribution of microplastics is often closely related to human activities. In addition to densely populated areas, remote areas have become the focus of research in recent years. The intensity of human activities directly affects the abundance o.....»»
Researchers: Hotter sand from microplastics could affect sea turtle development
New research from Florida State University published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that extreme concentrations of microplastics could increase the temperature of beach sand enough to threaten the development of incubating sea turtles......»»
Study shows how microplastics stick around in human airways
Research shows humans might inhale about 16.2 bits of microplastic every hour, which is equivalent to a credit card over an entire week. And these microplastics—tiny debris in the environment generated from the degradation of plastic products—usu.....»»
Quantifying microplastics in Swiss rivers and lakes
Every year, 14,000 tons of plastic end up in Swiss soils and waters, in part in the form of microplastics, which are particles in the micro to millimeter range. Microplastics come from many sources, such as cosmetics or synthetic fiber clothing. The.....»»
What microplastics might be doing to our intestines
Plastics are among the most ubiquitous manmade materials—we wear them, build with them, play with them, ship goods in them, and then we throw them into the waste stream. Ultimately, they can break down into tiny particles that get into our food sup.....»»
How we are contaminating our waters with microplastics and a multitude of chemicals
A plastic sandwich wrapper bobs in the water where the Limmat River flows out of Lake Zurich. The current carries it downstream through Zurich's historic center before eventually depositing it on the bank of Werd island. Exposed to sunlight, it gradu.....»»
River diversions may cause microplastics to remain longer on land and in streams before reaching oceans
Diverting streams and rivers to irrigate crops or provide drinking water may significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments before they flow into our oceans, a new study reveals......»»
Check your tires: You might be adding microplastics to the environment
Cost-saving measures are key in today's economic climate. But they can also have a positive impact on minimizing your environmental footprint. A prime example is maintaining your cars' optimal tire pressure......»»
New model for predicting adsorption of PFAS by microplastics
Rivers, lakes and oceans worldwide are home to trillions of pieces of plastic pollution that are smaller than five millimeters in length, known as microplastics, and their size allows them to easily enter humans and animals. Some can adsorb and trans.....»»
Studying the effects of microplastics on the infectivity of bacteriophages in an aqueous environment
Polymer-based materials are almost everywhere, reaching even the deepest regions of the oceans, and their global production outpaces recycling, leading to the generation of tremendous amounts of water pollution with microplastics. These tiny polymer.....»»
Yet another problem with recycling: It spews microplastics
One recycling facility emits as much as 3 million pounds of microplastics a year. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) The plastics industry has long hyped recycling, even though it is well awarethat it’s been a failure. Wor.....»»
Yet Another Problem With Recycling: It Spews Microplastics
Recycling was already a mess. Now a study finds that one facility may emit 3 million pounds of microplastics a year......»»
Cambodian leader U-turns on rare dolphin conservation law
Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Thursday cancelled a law he created just two months ago to protect critically endangered Mekong dolphins as the mammals continue to die from illegal fishing activities......»»