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All that plastic in the ocean is a climate change problem, too

Grist

But unfolding alongside the “macroplastic” pollution crisis is another threat caused by much smaller particles: microplastics. Microplastics — tiny plastic fragments that are less than 5 millimeters in diameter, a little less than one-third the size of a dime — have become ubiquitous in the environment.

Plastics 142
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The Ocean Race reports on microfibres in European seas

Envirotec Magazine

The Baltic Sea had the highest levels of microplastics in Europe, double the amount in the Mediterranean?. • New research from the round-the-world yacht race The Ocean Race* has found microplastics, and in particular microfibres, to be prevalent across the length and breadth of the continent. fragmented fishing gear and lines.

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Government is “passing water pollution buck to the car industry”, experts warn

Envirotec Magazine

Particles from brake and tyre wear include copper and zinc, microplastics and a group of chemicals called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It’s been estimated that more than 60,000 tonnes of microplastics alone are being emitted on the road network annually. They not only pervade the air but also settle on the road surface.

Pollution 208
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Atlantic has 10 times the microplastics previously thought

AGreenLiving

The study, just published in Nature Communications , uses data collected in fall 2016. Related: Record high amount of microplastic found on seafloors Scientists’ calculations suggest that the Atlantic contains about 200 million tons of these three plastics. Microplastics threaten both human health and marine life.

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All Eyes on Marine Plastic From Orbit

Planet Pulse

One of the most topical problems in marine pollution is microplastic debris, with an estimated 93 to 236 thousand metric tons of microplastic in our oceans as of 2014. Over the course of 2016 to 2018, the total area of plastic debris detected skyrocketed from 0.23 km2 to 0.77km2.

Plastics 124
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Environmentally friendly leather wins European circular economy startup award

Envirotec Magazine

“Initially the focus was more on the medical industry but the idea of using the same technology for producing leatherlike textile came up in spring 2016.” Differently coloured trustmarks indicate whether products and/or packaging are free of plastics and microplastics or are made of recyclates.

Startups 178
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Sea turtles thrive on empty beaches during COVID-19 lockdowns

AGreenLiving

These include microplastics, fishing gear, coastal development, boat strikes, global warming and the illegal trade in eggs, meat and shells. A 2016 University of Florida study concluded that removing trash and debris from beaches can increase the number of turtle nests by 200%.