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Arctic sea ice contains a huge amount of microplastics which will be released into the world’s oceans with global warming, researchers has warned.
The Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany surveyed five regions in the Arctic Ocean and found there was 12,000 microplastic particles per litre of ice.
Analysis of ocean currents showed much of the debris had flowed from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world, which is situated between California and Hawaii.
Commenting on the study, British experts said it showed that the garbage patch, was ‘literally the tip of the iceberg.’
Researchers warned that not only is the microplastic dangerous for arctic wildlife, who eat it, but global warming could allow huge amounts to be released back into the world’s oceans.
“During our work, we realised that more than half of the microplastic particles trapped in the ice were less than a twentieth of a millimetre wide, which means they could easily be ingested by arctic microorganisms,” said biologist and first author Dr Ilka Peeken.
“No one can say for certain how harmful these tiny plastic particles are for marine life, or ultimately also for human beings.”
originally posted by: rickymouse
There is a lot of methyl mercury trapped in the glaciers too.
originally posted by: the2ofusr1
a reply to: lostbook
In other news Canada and Britain want to ban straws .
“No one can say for certain how harmful these tiny plastic particles are for marine life, or ultimately also for human beings.”
originally posted by: the2ofusr1
a reply to: lostbook
In other news Canada and Britain want to ban straws .
“No one can say for certain how harmful these tiny plastic particles are for marine life, or ultimately also for human beings.”
Researchers believe BPA does so by mimicking estrogen hormones, but its metabolite doesn’t appear to do so. In figuring out why metabolized BPA appears to spur fat cells, Zoeller said, it’s possible that BPA-Glucuronide is “hitting certain receptors in cells”.
Uptake and Effects of Microplastics on Cells and Tissue of the Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis L. after an Experimental Exposure
originally posted by: GBP/JPY
could not
Arctic sea ice contains a huge amount of microplastics which will be released into the world’s oceans with global warming, researchers has warned. The Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany surveyed five regions in the Arctic Ocean and found there was 12,000 microplastic particles per litre of ice.
originally posted by: rickymouse
There is a lot of methyl mercury trapped in the glaciers too.
originally posted by: stormcell
originally posted by: rickymouse
There is a lot of methyl mercury trapped in the glaciers too.
Could that explain the increase in Alzheimers and dementia. A slow build up of toxic metals in the brain over the decades?