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.....»»
Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae
A critical component of the food web in the Arctic is at risk. According to a new study published in the journal Environmental Science and … The post Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae appeared first on BGR. A crit.....»»
A Critical Arctic Organism Is Now Infested With Microplastics
The algae Melosira arctica is the foundation of the food chain, and its contamination could have major consequences for ecosystems and the climate......»»
Arctic ice algae heavily contaminated with microplastics, reports new research
The alga Melosira arctica, which grows under Arctic sea ice, contains ten times as many microplastic particles as the surrounding seawater. This concentration at the base of the food web poses a threat to creatures that feed on the algae at the sea s.....»»
Q&A: Two ways researchers are studying marine microplastics
Tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean might seem innocuous on their own, but their growing presence is a frustrating issue facing marine ecosystems. The particles' small size makes them difficult to clean up, and it also allows them to easily burrow in.....»»
77% more microplastics found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE, research shows
At a first glance the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have a positive impact on the environment, with significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and transport-related noise, air and light pollution......»»
Study shows soil pollution in urban green spaces and natural areas is similar
An international study shows that soil in urban green spaces and natural areas share similar levels of multiple contaminants such as metals, pesticides, microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes around the world. Soil contamination is one of the.....»»
Scientists shed light on how macrophages interact with microplastics
A large portion of the nearly 200 million tons of single-use plastic produced globally ends up discarded as waste. The eventual breakdown of this plastic into microplastics—0.1–1000 µm-sized particles—is a cause for concern. Humans are exposed.....»»
Pulsing ultrasound waves could someday remove microplastics from waterways
Colorful particles of plastic drift along under the surface of most waterways, from headwater streams to the Arctic Ocean. These barely visible microplastics—less than 5 mm wide—are potentially harmful to aquatic animals and plants, as well as hu.....»»
Study finds plastic fibers stunt growth in mussels by more than a third—here"s why this is a concern
Plastic pollution poses a threat to marine wildlife. The plastic bags, bottles and straws that we see strewn across beaches have long been identified as a danger. But tiny fragments of plastic—called microplastics—that are less than 5mm in size a.....»»
Microplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species
Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows......»»
Microplastics Are Polluting the Ocean at a Shocking Rate
Some 11 billion pounds of plastic particles are blanketing the surface alone. But a new study points to hope—if countries act now......»»
What physicists can learn from shark intestines
In 1920, inventor Nikola Tesla patented a type of pipe that he called a "valvular conduit," which was built to draw fluid in one direction without any moving parts or added energy, and has applications ranging from soft robotics to medical implants......»»
Microplastics: Are plastic alternatives any safer for our health?
Plastic pollution is now pervasive in our environment, contaminating everywhere from our homes and workplaces to the planet's deepest recesses. The problem regularly makes headlines, with the spotlight turned toward ocean pollution in particular......»»
Looking beyond microplastics: Cotton and synthetic microfibers impact behavior and growth of aquatic organisms
While microplastics have received significant attention in recent years for their negative environmental impacts, a new study from Oregon State University scientists found microfibers from synthetic materials as well as cotton impacted the behavior a.....»»
Virus plus microplastics equal double whammy for fish health
Microplastics—tiny particles generated as plastics weather and fragment—pose a growing threat to ecosystem and human health. A new laboratory study shows these threats extend beyond direct physical or chemical impacts, revealing that the presence.....»»
Soil and freshwater come under the spotlight in plastics-pollution fight
Growing awareness of microplastics in the ground and in freshwater highlights the need to tackle an environmental threat generally associated with oceans......»»
Washing fabrics by hand reduces microplastic release compared with machine washing
From tiny plankton to massive whales, microplastics have been found throughout the ocean food chain. One major source of this pollution are fibers shed while laundering synthetic fabrics. Although many studies show microfibers are released during mac.....»»
Are we breathing airborne microplastics? Study finds higher concentrations indoors
People are likely exposed to thousands of airborne microplastics a year indoors, a Griffith-led study has found......»»
Microplastics deposited on the seafloor have tripled in 20 years
The total amount of microplastics deposited on the bottom of oceans has tripled in the past two decades with a progression that corresponds to the type and volume of consumption of plastic products by society......»»
Microplastics in human tissue samples: International study warns against drawing premature conclusions
The distribution of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, the potential of human exposure and particle uptake, and the absorption of these particles into tissues are topics that are being intensively researched worldwide......»»