Trash in the oceans is a problem that is getting worse. And today I'll tell you a little about this pollution that is affecting the ocean and those who live there.
Source: Pixabay
Microplastics:
- What are? How do they form?
Microplastics are very small plastics, which have a maximum of 1 to 5 millimeters. These plastics originate from fishing nets and larger receptacles, such as water bottles and other packaging. These packages aren't well disposed of and with the help of environmental factors, such as wind, rain and sea, they will end up in the ocean. During the course that these packages do, they dividing to smaller pieces of plastic, until they become microplastics.
- Risks
Microplastics absorb many toxic products, such as pesticides and others. This affects the health of immense marine animals because as this plastics are so small, they ingest them making the toxins cause them many problems. These problems are almost always transmitted to the rest of the chain, infecting more animals.
Source: Flickr
Did you know?
- Each year, 4 to 12 million tons of plastic go to the ocean, and if our lifestyle continues until 2050, it is estimated that there is more plastic in the ocean than fish.
- A bottle of water takes 450 years to degrade completely.