Because of the length and delay in getting this posted I am giving you until Tuesday night to complete this post. This article is an example of the kinds of articles you will be reading next year. No more newspaper articles for you. You must read through the article and pick out the important information for you so that you can use it in your essay or report for your class.
Answer the following questions to help you through the article:
1) What are microplastics? Where do they come from?
2) What are the ecological impacts of plastics in the Great Lakes? What happens when the biodegrade?
3) What are microbeads? Where do they come from?
4) How are rivers a 'major pathway' of transportation for microplastics?
5) How do the Great Lakes compare to other similar lakes around the world?
6) How does the research results compare to ocean research and findings? Specifically ocean gyres?
7) Why does the author end with questions? What does this mean about their research?
8) What can we do to help prevent pollution from microplastics?
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133015000064
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. They are plastic particles smaller than 333 μm that are retained on a 0.45 μm pore size filter. They come from consumer products including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. Microplastics are very dangerous because they represents a navigational and structural hazard to shipping vessels and smaller marine vehicles, including burnt out water pumps and entangled propellers.
ReplyDeleteThe ecological impacts of plastics in the great lakes are that they are a health risk to aquatic animals. The plastic contaminates the water and remain in the water for animals to get stuck in and ingest. The plastic takes a long amount of time to degrade because of sorption, so it lingers in the water until collected. When the plastic does biodegrade they release toxic chemicals. The chemicals that are released can disrupt endocrine functions and cause harmful reproductive and developmental effects in aquatic animals.
Microbeads are primary plastics that are so tiny it is extremely hard to filter them out of water. They are found s in a range of consumer products, including exfoliating creams, soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, lip gloss, eye liner, sunscreens, and deodorants. Microbeads that are flushed down sink and shower drains enter the wastewater collection system.
Rivers are a ‘major pathway’ of transportation for microplastics because plastic resin pellets, which are used in the manufacturing of plastic products, tend to spill during transport and make their way to the rivers from rain and other things. Resin pellets and other plastic items end up going into streams and sewers and end up in rivers. From the rivers they make their way to large bodies of water, such as the Great lakes. That is why rivers are major pathways of transportation for microplastics.
With the listed lakes, Lake Erie exhibits the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics. Other countries lakes that had received lower inputs of plastic could possibly be linked to higher plastic recycling rates. From the data, it shows that population is not directly linked to the pollution; it is more the amount of plastic manufactured.
From the research results they conclude that although the results are recorded differently, it is clear that the Great Lakes are just as polluted
They r reported differently. Great lakes are as polluted with plastic debris as known areas of litter accumulation within ocean gyres.
The author ends with questions to stress how many issues there are that are not widely discussed or researched. I think the author is trying to make a point about how much we pollute and trying to show that it is not black and white. There are so many other factors that contribute to the pollution of aquatic life that are not recognized to the extent they need to be. It not just “is there pollution or no?” There are too many variables that need to be researched further and figure out ways to prevent these things. I don’t think the author not knowing the answer to every single part of the pollution to the great lakes means his research is incomplete. I just think it means that basically society has failed. If even researchers don’t know the answer to every question about something as preventable as pollution I think there is a problem.
To prevent pollution from microplastics we should be less lazy as a community about recycling. Having things recycled instead of littered could prevent the litter flowing into the lakes and giving the microplastics a direct route to pollute out bodies of water. Also by using more natural things and reducing the use of consumer products.
ReplyDelete1. Microplastics are small plastic particles in the environment that are generally smaller than 1 mm down to the micrometer range. They can come from a variety of sources including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes.
2. The ecological impacts of plastics in the Great Lakes ingestion from the animals of plastic which may cause internal bleeding, abrasion and ulcers, as well as blockage o the digestive tract. The plastic debris may also act as vectors for contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. As the plastics degrade they can release toxic chemicals that were initially incorporated during their manufacturing or absorbed to their surfaces in the environment. Some of these chemicals can disrupt endocrine functions and cause harmful reproductive and developmental effects in aquatic animals.
3. Microbeads are very small synthetic plastic particles, each of them perfectly spherical. They are no more than 5 mm across and most are only 1mm or smaller, they look like grains of sand. The most common are made from polyethylene and polypropylene and are used in everything from cancer research and HIV treatment to flat-panel televisions and the jumbo screens in stadiums. Canada’s Conservative government announced the intention to ban the use of microbeads in personal-care products. What worries Canada’s is the use of microbeads in products like toothpaste, soap and facial scrubs.
4. Rivers are a major pathway of transportation for microplastics because the rivers connect the lakes and oceans, which is the only paths between them that join. Also, rivers are usually fast running water, which allows the microplastics to have a quicker path to pollute all lakes and get out into the sea as well.
5. The Great Lakes compare to other similar lakes around the world because the are all interconnected like other lakes. Also, most lakes are connected somehow to the oceans, allowing them to technically all be connected to each other in some way.
6. There are comparisons all around the research and results of the Great Lakes and ocean surface waters, such as how the marine plastic debris concentrations are reported. In some studies concentrations are expressed in number of plastic debris per unit ocean surface area, while others express the number of items per unit volume of water. Even with all the different studies, based on the average concentration of pelagic microplastic debris in the Great Lakes, is would appear that they are as polluted with plastic debris as known areas of litter accumulation within ocean gyres. Some comparisons reveal a much greater percentage of microplastic debris < 1mm in the surface waters of the Great Lakes, which is 81%, relative to the five other marine and freshwater studies.
7. The authors end with questions to allow the reader to think about what they are researching, and also because with science there never is a full answer. There will always be unanswered questions because our world is constantly changing. It means their research is never fully complete.
8. To help prevent pollution from microplastics we can reduce the use of lightweight plastic bags, work on ambitious recycling targets, stop using products that contain a lot of microplastic product, and we can petition and fight the companies that do to start using biodegradable products and environmentally friendly products as well.
Commission, E. (2015, May 12). "Eliminating Plastic and Microplastic Pollution - an urgent need" - European
Commission. Retrieved May 30, 2016, from
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/vella/announcements/eliminating-plastic-and-microplast
ic-pollution-urgent-need_en
D, M., & W, R. (2015, Aug 3). What are microbeads and why would Canada ban them? Retrieved May 30,
2016, from http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/08/economist-explains-0
1. Micro-plastic particles, defined here as particles of less than 5mm in size, can arise through four separate processes:
ReplyDelete• deterioration of larger plastic fragments over time
• direct release of micro particles (e.g. scrubs and abrasives in household and personal care products) into waterways and via urban wastewater treatment;
• accidental loss of industrial raw materials during transport at sea or into surface waterways;
• discharge of macerated wastes, e.g. sewage sludge
2. Many plastics degrade slowly in the environment and may have long-term adverse ecological and economic impacts, including the dispersal of persistent organic pollutants. Plans to combat and curtail plastic debris pollution in the Great Lakes will come at a significant economic cost, likely in excess of $400 million annually.
3. Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic that are added to everyday cosmetic products face wash, toothpaste, abrasive cleaners and lots more. They are most frequently made of polyethylene but can be of other petrochemical plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene. Microbeads are tiny, and may seem harmless, but 100,000 microbeads are washed down the sink with the single application of some products, ending up in the sea, up the food chain.
4. Plastic resin pellets, a raw material used in the manufacturing of plastic products are a common pollutant along Great Lakes shorelines. Spillage during transport and subsequent rain events can cause the entry of resin pellets into streams and storm sewers. In urban areas with combined sewer systems, pellets and other plastic debris in storm water may be discharged directly into streams and rivers, and ultimately reach the Great Lakes. Further analysis implies that rivers could represent a major transport pathway of plastic debris to the Great Lakes.
5. Existing survey data indicate that areas in the Great Lakes region with greater human and industrial activity are generally associated with higher concentrations of plastic debris in the adjacent Great Lakes basins. This compares to other lakes around the world as plastics can be found at a greater quantity due to more consumers who could be using plastic carried through the sewage system.
6. Comparison between the concentrations of pelagic microplastic debris in the Great Lakes and those in ocean surface waters is complicated by the different ways in which marine plastic debris concentrations are reported. Nonetheless, based on the average concentration of pelagic microplastic debris in Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie (0.0425 items/m2), it would appear that the Great Lakes are as polluted with plastic debris as known areas of litter accumulation within ocean gyres.
7. Answers to the questions that the author asked are crucial because understanding our waterways can help develop the necessary tools to forecast the effectiveness of proposed actions, regulations, and policies, and to develop a predictive understanding of the fate of plastic debris within the lakes.
8. You can find a list of companies who are pledging not to use microplastics online. You can check your toothpaste and cleaning products for the use of microbeads. If you want to go all natural, you can also try exfoliating with natural products like kernels, sugar or a wash cloth. We shouldn’t have to watch out for such unnecessary and damaging ingredients though – so pressure on passing laws should be our number one priority.
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/marine-litter/l-2/3-micro-plastics.htm
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/what-are-plastic-microbeads-and-why-should-we-ban-them-20160114
1. Microplastics are a type of plastic classified by its size, origin, form, and composition. There is no universally agreed upon definition of microplastics, but the term mostly refers to plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. Typically, they are particles larger than 333 μm, due to the equipment used for collection, but there are filters capable of collecting smaller microplastics. These particles that are smaller than 333 μm are called ‘microscopic plastic debris’. Microplastics are found in numerous consumer products including things that we use everyday - such as cosmetics, and clothing. They can also be produced from industrial processes.
ReplyDelete2. Along with economic impact, these microplastics have a large effect on ecology of aquatic animals. They cause a threat to fish, turtles, and birds because of possible entanglement and ingestion. When ingested microplastics can cause internal bleeding, abrasion and ulcers, and blockage of the digestive tract. This will likely result in the death of the animal. It takes such a long time for the microplastics to decompose because of sorption. Therefore, the accumulation of these microplastics will also affect the sediment and affect the structure and function of microbial communities. After hundreds to thousands of years, when the plastics decompose, releasing dangerous toxins into the environment; these toxins were initially used during the manufacturing of the product. As discussed in my Biology class and in the article, these toxins will disrupt the endocrine functions of the animals and can cause harmful reproductive and developmental mutations.
3. Microbeads are plastic pellets that are smaller than 1 millimeter. They are so minuscule that it is very difficult to collect them from water. They come from abrasive agents in consumer products, such as exfoliating creams, soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, lip gloss, eye liner, sunscreens, and deodorants. They are often flushed down toilet, sink, and shower drains into the wastewater.
4. Rivers a 'major pathway' of transportation for microplastics because they all lead to a larger lake, sea, or ocean. Often rain can cause the microplastic pellets to fall into streams and storm sewers. These sewer systems often lead directly into streams and rivers, and ultimately reach larger bodies of water. The plastics are essentially being carried by rivers to other waters, making them a ‘major pathway’ for the microplastics.
5. In comparison to lakes in Mongolia, Italy, and Switzerland, Lake Erie has the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics. While Lake Geneva in Italy has the second highest value with 0.0516 items/m2, Lake Erie more than doubles this amount with 0.1055 items/m2. This is not into scale either, as the population of Lake Geneva's watershed is triple that of Lake Erie. This shows that population is not directly correlated to the amount of microplastics in water. Instead, scientists think that it might be because of higher plastics recycling rates and WWTP retention efficiencies.
6. There are numerous research reports comparing the the results of the Great Lakes and the oceans, but there are some potential difficulties in the comparison. Certain studies express the concentrations of plastic debris by measurement of unit ocean surface area, while others measure the unit volume of water. Considering the studies, the Great Lakes seem to be as polluted with plastic debris as areas within ocean gyres. This is difficult to conclude though, because the currents are an inconsistent variable in measurements of both waters. This could contribute for the mixed results from varying scientist in the article.
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*CONTINUATION
Delete7. I think that the author decided to end the articles with questions in order to allow internal reflection within the reader. I think the author is trying to spark action in the reader and allow them to truly think about how society can better itself for the environment. I also think the questions show that research is never ending and that nothing in science can ever truly be proven. It shows that there is much research still needed to understand more about the situation, but that there always will be questions that are unanswered about the plastics. Research is truly a never ending process, and I think that these questions provoke more thought and more questions to induce more research.
8. As mentioned in the answers above, less plastics were found in waters of countries that are more efficient with recycling plastics. In general, we should reduce the amount of plastics we use, and resort to reusable/renewable resources. I think that a very important part of eliminating microplastics is eliminating the use of unnecessary products that have microbeads in it. We can all do our part and hopefully companies will notice our shift to a more environmentally friendly way of living, and will tempt to use their products by doing the same.
All information from my post is from the article provided.
1) Microplastic debris generally refers to plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. They come from consumer products and the industrial processes.
ReplyDelete2) Microplastics pose a risk to aquatic animals. The plastic stays in the water so animals get it stuck in their gills and ingest them. If the plastic does biodegrade then it release toxic chemicals. The chemicals disrupt the animals endocrine system, which can cause numerous side effects like reproductive and hormonal.
3) Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic added to cosmetics like exfoliating agents or toothpaste. They are so small that they are difficult to filter out of the water.
4) Rivers are a major pathway for the transportation for microplastics because plastic resin pellets spill while being transported. The rain washes them around and they end up in rivers. All rivers lead somewhere, hence why rivers are a major pathway for the transportation of microplastics into bigger bodies of water.
5) Lake Erie has the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics. This area does not have as high of population compared to cleaner lakes. Scientist believe this could be because of plastic recycling rates in different areas.
6) There's lots of different numbers and studies comparing the oceans with the lakes. They are done with different measurements, but it seems as though they can conclude that the lakes are as polluted with plastic debris as ocean gyres that are known for little accumulation.
7) The author ends with a question to allow the reader to continue thinking. Since our environment keeps changing it is important for us to continue to think of new solutions for pollution. Their research is still valid, it just does not answer every question about pollution.
8) To prevent the pollution of microplastics we can use more natural products. There are plenty of companies that make natural products that are just as effective and have similar prices. They're just at different stores. Of course we can't eliminate all plastic, so we should also work on our recycling habits.
1) Microplastics are plastic particles found to be smaller than 5 mm. Although the first occurrence of small plastic particles on beaches and in coastal waters was in the 1970s the term ‘micro-plastics’ is relatively new. Most commonly, they are found in cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. They pose a huge threat to shipping vessels and smaller marine vehicles. They can damage water pumps and propellers as well as damage the environment.
ReplyDelete2)The ecological impacts of microplastics in the Great Lakes is massive. They pose a health risk to aquatic animals. Fish, turtles, and birds risk entanglement and ingestion. The plastic takes a long amount of time to degrade because of the ‘sorption’. This leads to the accumulation in of microplastics. To fight this, it is estimated to take 400 million CAD.
3)Microbeads are plastic pieces found to be smaller than 1 millimeter. Due to the size, microbeads are very difficult to collect them from water. They come products such as exfoliating creams, soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, lip gloss, eye liner, sunscreens, and deodorants. When they are flushed from our households into the wastewater collection system, a great threat is created.
4)Rivers act as a ‘major pathway’ of transportation for microplastics because plastic resin pellets tend to spill during transport. These pellets are guided by rain, streams and sewers to end up in many rivers From there they proceed towards large bodies of water, such as the Great lakes.
5) Lake Erie tops the list against lakes in Mongolia, Italy, and Switzerland with the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics. On average, countries with better recycling programs see a lower concentration rate in the study. It is evident that population is not directly linked to the amount of microplastics in water.
6)There are many reports comparing the Great Lakes and the oceans, with many stating that the Great Lakes seem to be as polluted as oceans. However, there are some variables in these reports such as inconsistent measurements of both waters.
7)When an author ends a piece with questions, the goal is to spark reflection and action. The author does so to make us all think about how we (society) can make a difference. With science ever-growing and the research always diving deeper, we still do not have a proven answer to these questions. It is not until we do that the report can answer them properly. Until then, we must think and try to find the answers within ourselves.
8)To prevent pollution from microplastics we become more efficient with our plastics and waste produced. To work as a sustainable planet, we reduce the consumption of plastics we use. In order to eliminate microplastics, we must start by decreasing the number of products with microbeads in it.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133015000064
http://www.gesamp.org/data/gesamp/files/media/Publications/Reports_and_studies_82/gallery_1510/object_1670_large.pdf
Mark this one:
ReplyDeleteMicroplastics are small plastic particles in the environment that are generally smaller than 1 mm. They come from broken up pieces of larger plastics and products (like skin washes).
Plastic debris can have wide-ranging ecological and economic impacts in both freshwater and marine environments. Macroplastics pose a health risk to aquatic animals, including fish, turtles, and birds, because of possible entanglement and ingestion Ingestion of plastic may cause internal bleeding, abrasion and ulcers, as well as blockage of the digestive tract . Plastic debris may act as a vector for contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. Sorption to plastics has been shown to limit the biodegradation of organic contaminants, increasing their persistence in the environment. Plastic debris can also transport non-native species and be colonized by microbes including possible pathogens. In littoral zones, the accumulation of sinking plastic debris and the dragging of fishing nets may disrupt bottom sediments, displace or smother infauna, and affect the structure and functioning of benthic microbial communities.
Microbeads are very small plastic beads that are usually found in skin and beauty products. Many of these microbeads are washed down the drain and end up getting dispossessed of in the local rivers.
Lake Erie exhibits the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics (0.1055 items/m2, compared with the next highest value of 0.0516 items/m2 for Lake Geneva). Some of the great lakes near highly populated cities i.e lake Ontario is near Toronto and Chicago, have less plastic because the cities comb the beaches during the peak season for plastic and debris. However, some of the great lakes without this preventative measure are riddled with plastic.
based on the average concentration of pelagic microplastic debris in Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie (0.0425 items/m2), it would appear that the Great Lakes are as polluted with plastic debris as known areas of litter accumulation within ocean gyres. For comparison, average concentrations of plastic debris reported in the South Pacific Gyre, the North Atlantic Gyre and the North Pacific Gyre are 0.0269, 0.0203 and 0.3343 items/m2, respectively.
The author asks questions at the end of the article because it gets the reader involved and thinking about the issue at hand (in this case the pollution of the Great Lakes). There are also some unanswered questions that the author has. This could mean that there is still research to be done and the results are not final yet. In most scenarios there are multiple variables in the research. These questions have to be asked to make sure the data is reliable and the study is complete.
Things i can do to help prevent pollution from microplastics are to stop buying products that contain them. Also, to teach others abo0ut this issue and make them environmentally aware. lastly, i can help with the beach cleanups to help prevent the microplastics from reaching the lakes.
Related article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/microplastics-at-alarming-levels-in-canadian-lakes-and-rivers-1.3157701
Microplastics are plastics that are smaller than 5mm but still larger than 333 μm. Plastic pieces larger than 5mm are considered macroplastic. Microplastics can occur from many things, one being the downgrade of larger plastics. Larger plastics are broken down by the water and then create these microplastics. Another place that they can occur from are facial cleansers.
ReplyDeleteDegrading these plastics can release harmful chemicals into the water that can be absorbed in different areas. These chemicals can be absorbed or ingested by wildlife and can cause reproductive health issues for animals. Many animals and fish are killed each year just because of the consumption of plastics.
Microbeads are microspheric plastics that are used frequently as exfoliants in cosmetics and also found in toothpastes and medical products. These can be absorbed by the gills of fish or can be directly consumed. These materials will stay in the system of the fish.
In urban areas with combined sewer systems, pellets and other plastic debris in stormwater may be discharged directly into streams and rivers, and ultimately reach the Great Lakes.
The pollution of the great lakes is frightening but they are not as concerning as some other lakes. In Lake Garda researchers found significant concentrations of plastic in sediment samples. They found around 1,000 larger pieces of plastic per square metre and 450 pieces of microplastics. Still, Lake Erie exhibits the highest average concentration of pelagic microplastics
Unfortunately our lakes are just as polluted as some Ocean gyres, a large system of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and forces created by Earth's rotation.The smaller sizes of pelagic plastics in the Great Lakes, compared to the debris found in oceanic gyres, is also related to the differences in degradation.
I believe that the author answers with questions in order to show people that they are the contributing factor to the pollution of the great lakes. He does this to make the reader question their own habits and to question where their garbage is really going. This shows that the research was scary enough to have some people change their ways.
There are many things that we can do to help present microplastics from entering our lakes and oceans. One thing would be looking into facial cleansers, toothpastes, soaps, and makeups that do not contain microbeads. You could also support some of the campaigns against microbeads being used in beauty/health products. One other large way you could contribute is cutting back on your disposal of plastics.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24434378
nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ocean-gyre/
http://www.plasticfreeseas.org/microbeads.html
1) Microplastics are pieces of plastic that have been broken down after years of abuse from the water until they become smaller than 5mm across. They generally come from consumer products and industrial waste.
ReplyDelete2) The main issue seen with these plastics in the great lakes is the threats they pose to aquatic animals. These animals are able to eat the microplastics and then can cause problems with reproduction and general health. Just as we watched the turtle in the film, many of these dying animals can be found to have plastic debris in their bodies during an autopsy.
3) Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastics found in a range of different cosmetic problems including exfoliants and acne scrubs.The problem with these microbeads is that they are nearly impossible to filter out of water and end up being sent into our rivers and lakes.
4) Rivers are a major transportation system for micro plastics because they are able to grab plastic from riverbeds or shorelines and sweep the along to ponds, lakes, and inevitably the ocean. They are often called the arteries of the planet because the ocean is like the heart of the planet and rivers carry “blood” to it.
5) In comparison with the other great lakes of the world; Mongolia and Switzerland, the great lakes have significantly more microplastics. The lakes are much larger and with Southern Ontario being our most populated area, as well as the area with the concentration of great lakes it is understandable but still very disheartening.
6) After samples were taken from the beaches of Lake Michigan and compared with those of ocean beaches across several different continents, the data showed that the ocean beaches had a considerable more amount of plastic in comparison to the lake beaches.
7) The author ends with questions showing that he does not have all the answers in his article. He understand that these questions need to be further investigated by multiple scientists to find valid data. A better understanding of our waterways is crucial before any positive changes can be made.
8) Starting with personal changes is the best way to help prevent pollution from microplastics. Buying products that are biodegradable and avoid the use of plastics that easily create microplastics is a great place to start. It’s also important to focus on the 4 R’s in this situation. Reduce or use of these products, reuse products so that we consume less and they are less likely to end up in the landfill, recycle the products that we must dispose of in a last resort, and most importantly: rethink. We need to rethink the system we are buying into and opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives.
1) Microplastics are small plastic particles in the environment that are usually smaller than 1 mm. They can come from a bunch of different things such as cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes.
ReplyDelete2) The impacts of plastic in the Great Lakes are huge. Animals are ingesting such things and are dying rapidly because of it. The animals cannot ingest plastic and so it just sits in their stomach with nowhere to go. The plastic eventually blocks the digestive tract and makes it so the animals cannot eat any food at all. These plastic also harm the animals without being ingested. It takes a very long time for them to biodegrade but when they do they release toxins in to the lakes. This disrupts endocrine functions and causes development and reproductive issues.
3) Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic found in exfoliating body washes and facial scrubs. They are so small (width from a fraction of a millimeter to about a millimeter and a quarter) that it is extremely difficult to collect them from the water.
4) Rivers are a major pathway of transportation for microplastics because rivers lead into lakes, oceans, and big bodies of water. 808 trillion pieces of microplastic goes down American drains every day. When this plastic filled water goes through treatment plants, about 99 percent of the beads settle into sludge, which is often used as fertilizer. Then the rain washes these beads into water supply. The rivers then transport these particles into bigger bodies of water.
5) Compard to lakes around the world such as Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Lake Hovsgol in Mongolia, and Lake Garda in Italy; Lake Erie has the highest concentration of pelagic microplastics. Compared to cleaner lakes around the world, the area around lake Erie is less populated therefor proving that population is not a direct link to the amount of plastic in these lakes.
6) Comparing the Great Lakes and oceans is complicated due to the different measurements used. These reports conclude that the Great Lakes are just as polluted as oceans.
7) The author ends with questions so that people can think about/reflect on the facts presented to truly change and make a difference in the amount of plastic created/used. This means that their research doesn’t answer all questions because one can never have the answer to every question.
8) To beat the amount of pollution made from plastic we could reduce the amount of plastic we use, reuse the plastic as much as possible, and recycle plastics that can be recycled.
Sources:
http://www.iflscience.com/environment/ocean-animals-‘death-plastic’-could-be-occurring-more-frequently
http://www.popsci.com/what-are-microbeads-and-why-are-they-illegal
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133015000064
1)Micro plastics are small plastic particles in the environment that are usually smaller than 1 mm (0.039 in) down to the micrometer range. They can come from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes.
ReplyDelete2)This plastic is a potential hazard to the health of animals and their ecosystems, and its unsightliness damages the tourism industry that so many people enjoy and depend on for their livelihoods. It is not just the large pieces of plastic that are impacting the Great Lakes ecosystem; it is also the micro plastics. When the plastic degrades it can release toxic chemicals into the great lakes which can harm the animals.
3)Micro beads are really tiny plastic particles usually smaller than two millimeters. Plastic micro beads are in face soaps, body washes, and even toothpastes.
4)Most waste water treatment doesn’t filter out micro beads, and they get discharged into waterways. As a result, micro-plastic particles are found in bays, gulfs and seas worldwide, as well as inland waterways.
5)The lake with the highest concentration of pelagic micro plastics is Lake Erie. This area has a much lower population in comparison to cleaner lakes. According to scientists, it is said that this may be because of plastic recycling rates in different areas.
6)There are many different reports and studies comparing great lakes to the oceans. In most of the reports the research shows that the great lakes are as pollutes as the oceans. But there are also some variables that are unpredictable with the measurements.
7)I think that the author is ending with questions because he wants the readers to do something about this issue. He is trying to show us how we can make a difference as a community. By ending with questions it also allows the readers to continue thinking about the situation. The research is still true but there are still some questions unanswered.
8)By using natural things we can prevent micro plastics from polluting out earth. I think we should also be reducing the amount of plastic we use and reusing as much as possible as well. I think that micro beads should also be banned in products that use them.
http://storyofstuff.org/plastic-microbeads-ban-the-bead/
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/what-are-microplastics
http://www.gesamp.org/data/gesamp/files/media/Publications/Reports_and_studies_82/gallery_1510/object_1670_large.pdf
1. Micro plastics are plastic particles that are smaller than 5mm in size, but larger than 333um.
ReplyDelete2. Plastics in bodies of fresh water pose a risk to aquatic animals such as fish, turtles and birds. The ingestion of these plastics can cause internal bodily harm for these animals. Too much of this plastic can also slow the biodegrading of organic waste in the lakes. They upset the microorganisms when it sinks to the bottom of the lakes and disturbs the ground. As these plastics degrade, they release many toxins that were used when making the products, causing even more harm to the environment.
3. Microbeads are found in soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, eyeshadow, ect. When they are flushed down toilets, or down the drain, they build up in the wastewater system. They are very difficult to get rid of in the water. An advanced filtration system is required to remove these microbeads from the water.
4. Spillage from urban areas can cause the flow of plastics into drains, rivers and streams that lead straight into the lakes.
5. Compared to other similar lakes around the world, Lake Earie, is the most polluted of them all, followed by Lake Geneva. The population surrounding the lakes compared to the lake size isn’t very different compared to other lakes, which means plastics and garbage are not directly related to population surrounding the lakes, but the garbage and recycling habits of the populations.
6. The Great Lakes are just as polluted as some of the well-known ocean gyres that are full of micro plastics just sitting in the water.
7. The author ends with questions to show that their research is not nearly complete. There are still so many tests needed to be done to find the effects of micro plastics in organisms around the shorelines, along with humans as well. This research still has a long way to go, in order to answer some very serious questions. The author uses the literary device of fear to persuade readers to agree with him on a stringer emotional level.
8. To reduce, and even prevent these micro plastics from entering our water systems, the Canadian citizens as a whole need to become more aware of the plastics they’re using. As a whole, we need to try and reduce our consumption of plastic products as much as possible to prevent pollution, and to prevent these plastics from ever entering our environment. Reduce, Reuse, recycle-rethink.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMicroplastic debris describes plastic particles smaller than 5mm. This form of pollution generally comes from products that have found their way into the water. This can be anything from industrial processes, articles of clothing and some cosmetics.
These plastics can have a wide range of effects on both the aquatic environment and the quality of the water. These microplastics can cause serious issues for the animals (fish, turtles, birds etc.). They can become entangled in the debris or can ingest it and become seriously ill or suffocate and die. They may also act as a vector for contaminants in the environment. It has been shown that sorption to plastics can limit the biodegradation of organic contaminants which can increase their persistence in said environment. Microbeads are a type of primary plastic, they are very small therefore they are very hard to filter. Because microbeads can be found in products such as shampoos, exfoliating creams, cosmetics etc it means that they get flushed down toilets, washed down drains and make their way into waste water collection.
Rivers are major pathways because they provide a middleman of sorts between lakes and oceans. So that when things like plastic resin pellets fall out during transit they get swept away in storm drains and streams and make their way to the rivers. The rivers then carry them on to even larger bodies of water.
In comparison to other lakes around the world, the areas of the great lakes that are more densely populated show more signs of debris and pollution from consumer items.
The research states that “Another difference with marine environments is the much larger proportion of pellets in < 1 mm pelagic plastic debris of the Great Lakes (58%), relative to fragments and other shaped debris... In contrast, pellets make up less than 1% of the < 1 mm debris in the North and South Pacific Gyres, while fragments represent 73% and 94%”. Overall while each body of water is polluted in a comparably different way the Great Lakes suffer just as much as the oceans.
The reason the author ends with questions, in my opinion, is
to emphasize the dangerous variables that still control our world and the endless struggle over pollution we deal with in our world today. It also really forces the reader to look at the data and examine the facts.
Ways that we can help prevent the pollution of our water with these plastics and microbeads is by avoiding products that contain them and will inevitably find their way down the drain like body washes, exfoliating scrubs, shampoos, cosmetics etc.and using alternatives that either neglect them altogether or use a more natural imitation.
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ReplyDeletemark this:
ReplyDelete1. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, smaller than 1 mm. They can be found all throughout the environment and originate from things like beach litter or big consumer products like clothing and industrial processes.
2. Plastics in the Great Lakes have an impact on a wide range of economic impacts like marine environments and freshwater. When microplastics are ingested it may cause internal bleeding, abrasion and ulcers, as well as blockage of the digestive tract. In marine environments, they have health risks like possible entanglement upon ingestion on an aquatic animals like fish, turtles and birds.
3. Microbeads are plastic microspheres. They come from and are used in cosmetics as exfoliating agents, along with toothpaste and biomedical health research.
4. Rivers a 'major pathway' of transportation for microplastics because they all lead out to lakes and oceans. Once these microplastics reach rivers they soon after are going to reach large bodies of water and contaminate them.
5. By looking at the studies comparing to similar lakes like Mongolia and Lake Erie, you realease that Lake Erie contain the most microplastics in the water.
7. The author ends with questions because they want to get you interested. They hope that from reading this article you will then begin to look more into the topic. The questions mean that they conclude that the Great Lakes are extremely polluted by microplastics but there is still so much more research to be found.
8. Once microplastics enter the environment it is almost physically impossible to remove them. Making better systems for filtering water is the way to help prevent microplastic pollution. The best way to help the problem is to stop the pollution.
http://www.projectaware.org/update/marine-debris-microplastics-%E2%80%93-facial-scrub-great-lakes
http://teachingkidsnews.com/2014/02/04/3-microplastics-threaten-great-lakes-marine-life/
ReplyDeleteMicro-plastic particles, are defined as particles of less than 5mm in size, which can arise through four separate processes:
-deterioration of larger plastic fragments, or through biological activity (e.g. boring, shredding and grinding by marine organisms);
-direct release of microparticles (e.g. scrubs and abrasives in household and personal care products,
-accidental loss of industrial raw materials (e.g. prefabricated plastics in the form of pellets or powders used to make plastic articles), during transport or transshipment, at sea or into surface waterways;
-discharge of macerated wastes, e.g. sewage sludge
2. Most plastics begin to decompose very slowly and can have serious long-term ecological and economic impacts, which include the distribution of constant organic pollutants. The rate of degradation depends on chemical composition, molecular weight, additives, environmental conditions, and other factors. The marine life is also at risk because the ingestion of the plastics can cause internal bleeding, ulcers, and a barricade in the digestive tract. The plastic debris can act as vectors for contaminants. As the plastics degrades it releases toxic chemicals into the environment around them.
3. Microbeads are small microspheres that are widely used in personal care products such as toothpaste, everyday cosmetic products, face wash, abrasive cleaners etc. They are at most 5 mm across, most are only 1mm or smaller, looking like grains of sand. They are mainly made of polyethylene but can also be made of other petrochemical plastics like polypropylene and polystyrene.
4. Rivers act as a major pathway of transportation for microplastics because rivers connect lakes and the oceans. Typically rivers have fast running water, which allows the microplastics to move quicker which makes the pollution spread faster through whatever body of water they are headed to next.
5. Compared to the other great lakes around the world (Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Lake Hovsgol in Mongolia, and Lake Garda in Italy ) the great lakes have a more substantial amount of microplastics. Lake Erie has the highest concentration of pelagic microplastics. Typically the larger amount of possible consumes contribute to more plastics in the waterways.
6. There are many research reports which compare the results of the Great Lakes and oceans, but there are some difficulties are apparent in the comparison. Some studies show the concentrations of plastic debris by measuring the ocean’s surface area, while others measure the unit volume of water. Seeing these studies, the Great Lakes appear to be as polluted with plastic debris as areas in ocean gyres (0.0425 items/m2). Because the currents are an inconsistent variable in measurements of both waters, this is not a definite. This factor could be a reason for the varied results from scientists in the article.
7. I think that the author chose to end the articles with questions to allow the reader the consider the points stated. When the reader is given the opportunity to reflect on the information provided it allows for them to imagine ways that society could change in order to protect our environment. Because the author ends with questions, it proves that not everything has an answer yet. Further research is needed to be able to show that there is much research still needed to be able to fully grasp the state of affairs. A greater understanding of our waterways is critical before any positive changes can be made. This means that the author does not have all of the answers.
Delete8. To help prevent pollution from microplastics there are several things we can do. We can go back and check our toothpastes/cleaning products for the use of microplastics. We should reduce the amount of plastics we use in general, and refer to reusable and renewable resources. If you look online there is a website which lists companies who have pledged not to use microplastics in their products as well. It will start small but if everyone chooses to take a stand hopefully larger corporations will notice the affect and choose to resort to a more eco friendly method of production.
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/marine-litter/l-2/3-micro-plastics.htm
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/do-plastics-go-away-when-theyre-ocean-or-great-lakes
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133015000064