Australian waters polluted by harmful tiny plastics

Researchers at the University of Western Australia (UWA) found that each square kilometre of Australian sea surface water is contaminated by around 4000 pieces of tiny plastics that could affect humans as well as marine life.
The researchers reported that the plastic particles were mostly a result of the breakdown of disposable packaging and fishing gear made of polyethylene and polypropylene. These two polymers are commonly used to make everyday items, such as water bottles and plastic cups. The study provides the first map of the distribution of floating marine plastics in Australian waters. An article about the research is published in PLOS ONE (News Item UWA, 27 November 2013).
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Click here for the published article (1.45 MB).

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