Plastics and microplastics
According to Eriksen et al. 2014 there are around 5 trillion plastic bits of all sizes floating in the oceans, which weighs about 250,000 tonnes. Growing awareness of plastic pollution of ocean has led to better plastic waste management, prohibitions were imposed by several nations on the use of microplastics in cosmetics, and in the use of disposable plastic products like shopping bags, cutlery etc. Plastics which are smaller than 5 mm are classified as Microplastics. Microplastics are usually divided into two categories according to the source namely primary and secondary. Microplastics are released into the environment either accidently or through wastewater. Pellets used in the production of bigger plastic goods, as well as microbeads used in cosmetics and industrial processes are the principal sources. Plastic fragmentation, weathering of plastic debris on shorelines, sea, and UV induced brittleness of plastics are the secondary sources of microplastics.
Microplastics in Fishes and Bivalves
Rochman and his team conducted a study on the 76 whole fish which includes 11 species purchased from Indonesian fish market and they discovered that gastrointestinal track of these species contains about 28 percentage of plastic waste. The same team has evaluated the 64 whole fish which includes 12 species purchased from California and they identified that 25 percent microplastics are available in the gut of these species.
This story is from the November - December 2021 edition of Scientific India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2021 edition of Scientific India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New Antibodies Target 'Dark Side' Of Influenza Virus Protein
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored "dark side" of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head.
Central black holes inside galaxies are rejuvenating systems of timeless universe
James Web telescope has greatly increased our knowledge of the universe. New galaxies have been discovered, and some of them are so old that hardly enter into the Big Bang cosmology model.
Wonders of Plasma
In physics, the term “Plasma\" refers to a quasi-neutral Iionized gas, or a gas in which a specific percentage of particles are charged.
Giant new snake species identified in the Amazon
A team of scientists on location with a The indigenous hunters took the team into the jungle on a 10-day expedition to search for these snakes, which they consider sacred.
Indian Mushroom in the Global Market: Is India Falling Behind?
A griculture and human evolution are intertwined deeply.
Sinking land increases risk for thousands of coastal residents by 2050
One in 50 people living in two dozen coastal cities in the United States could experience significant flooding by 2050, according to Virginia Tech-led research.
Vibrations of well-being!
Have you ever experienced a sinking feeling in your stomach when you are feeling fearful or some kind of anxiety or stress? On the other hand, when we are feeling ecstatic, we are at different energy state.
Weight loss drug from highly toxic plant can now be produced in yeast
A traditional Chinese medicinal plant has huge potential as a weight loss drug. However, due to the plant's notorious toxicity, no one has yet succeeded in exploiting it effectively.
Crop Wild Relatives of Indian Pipers: therapeutic potential and beyond
India is home to a vast repertoire of diverse plants, With certain plants having significant economical an medicinal value.
The 10 biggest science stories of 2023
Iindia has become the fourth country to successfully land on the moon as the Chandrayaan-3's lander module, with the rover in its belly, successfully made a soft landing on the lunar surface The success of Chandrayaan-3, launched in July 2023, showed the world that not only is India a major player in space, but that a moon lander can be launched successfully for $75m (£60m).