Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Hindi
Indonesian
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Turkish
Microplastics Are Threatening Global Food Security
Microplastics cause a loss in photosynthesis and a wordwide loss in crops (grain, rice, fruits, vegetables) of about 10%.
Nanoplastics in the snow
Scientists detected nanoplastics of different types in the snow at a remote high-altitude site in the Alps. Air transport modelling indicates regional and long-range transport of nanoplastics, originating preferentially from European urban areas. These urban areas are important sources of nanoplastics at this site, however the research showed that nanoplastics also travelled from across the…
Only 0.5% of the plastic in the ocean floats on the surface of the water, the rest drifts deeper in the water
Plastic that ends up in the sea accumulates on beaches, in the water and on the seabed. Most of the plastic pollution is under water. Marine organisms such as fish absorb (micro) plastics and these end up in our food chain. Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/6904 Maphoto/Riccardo Pravettoni) https://www.grida.no/resources/6904
Our oceans have learnt how to eat plastic!
Oceans are carbon producers and eaters, an important source of carbon emissions and absorption, and have an enormous impact on our climate change. Research by institutes and universities to understand the impact of microplastics on our climate, biodiversity and health is essential. This video shows some recent findings.
Update Plastics and the Environment
Read the update Plastic Production and Industry, part of the Plastics and the Environment Series of the Geneva Environment Network.
Plastic pollution in the ocean
Plastic pollution in the ocean might be enabling the creation of new floating ecosystems of species that are not normally able to survive in the open ocean. Read more in this news item from CNN. In a new study a team of researchers revealed that dozens of species of coastal invertebrate organisms have been able to…
Microplastics in the Terrestrial Environment
How do microplastics affect food safety? Dr. Huerta Lwanga discusses the issue of plastic use in agriculture (fertilizer, compost, mulch, sludge etc.). Microplastics in soil affect soil life and crop growth; these plastic particles can additionally migrate through the soil food chain and eventually into the crops. Huerta Lwanga’s work has found that soil diversity…