The consequences of all this plastic are two-fold. It can clog up some animals digestive systems, causing starvation or dehydration. But scientists have also discovered that plastic acts like a magnet for toxins in seawater. Contaminants concentrate on the plastics surface and are absorbed into the animals bloodstreams. Its not just a problem of bottles on our beaches or plastic in our seabirds guts, says Dr Jennifer Lavers, a marine biologist from University of Tasmania. Microplastics are infiltrating zooplankton and filter feeders like clams, mussels and sea cucumbers. These are creatures at the absolute base of the food chain. That has repercussions for every other level.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:03:19 +0000
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