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Plastic Particles and Marine Life

They call them “mermaids’ tears,” but it’s people who should be crying over their existence.

Tiny, multi-colored particles washing up along the world’s beaches are the remnants of plastic trash and fishing nets, worn down into granules often no larger than a grain of sand. They are what’s left of the soda and water bottles, grocery bags and other plastic debris thoughtlessly tossed onto the ground, out the car window or over the side of a boat.

And they’re not just making our beaches more colorful. These potentially toxic particles are making their way into the food chain, as sea creatures such as barnacles, lugworms and sand hoppers mistake them for food. These are the critters on the bottom of the food chain, so researchers believe the plastic debris will naturally work its way up the chain as larger fish consume the smaller ones.

What happens to the plastic kernels once inside the bellies of sea animals is anyone’s guess. Scientists are planning to conduct further research to find out if the chemicals in plastic leach out when digested, and if so, what that means for marine life (as well as humans, who then eat the fish).

The particles have been found on beaches in Europe, the Americas, Australia, Africa and Antarctica. Efforts to clean up beaches may help somewhat, but better recycling programs and efforts to reduce the amount of plastic we use could prove even more effective.

As for the tears already shed along our beaches, they won’t be going anywhere any time soon. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. They’ll be there until they wear down even smaller – or until something eats them.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org