Japan’s 2011 tsunami was catastrophic, killing nearly 16,000 people, destroying homes and infrastructure, and sweeping an estimated 5m tons of debris out to sea. That…
View More Plastic rafting: the invasive species hitching a ride on ocean litterTag: Plastics
Takeaway food and drink litter dominates ocean plastic, study shows
Plastic items from takeaway food and drink dominate the litter in the world’s oceans, according to the most comprehensive study to date. Single-use bags, plastic…
View More Takeaway food and drink litter dominates ocean plastic, study showsWater firms are main source of microplastics in UK rivers, study says
Water companies are causing high levels of microplastic contamination in UK rivers by discharging untreated sewage and wastewater into the water system, new research reveals.…
View More Water firms are main source of microplastics in UK rivers, study saysOver 47 tons of plastic found at US marine reserve – and an entangled seal
In a span of just over three weeks, more than 47 tons of plastic waste were removed from America’s largest protected marine reserve, sometimes directly…
View More Over 47 tons of plastic found at US marine reserve – and an entangled sealScientists find way to remove polluting microplastics with bacteria
Microbiologists have devised a sustainable way to remove polluting microplastics from the environment – and they want to use bacteria to do the job. Bacteria…
View More Scientists find way to remove polluting microplastics with bacteriaPlastic particles pass from mothers into foetuses, rat study shows
Tiny plastic particles in the lungs of pregnant rats pass rapidly into the hearts, brains and other organs of their foetuses, research shows. It is…
View More Plastic particles pass from mothers into foetuses, rat study shows‘It looks like snow’: how Australia plans to fix the ‘horrifying’ blight of expanded polystyrene
On a two-kilometre stretch of the Yarra River east of Melbourne’s CBD a few years ago, volunteers were gathering rubbish from the banks and reeds.…
View More ‘It looks like snow’: how Australia plans to fix the ‘horrifying’ blight of expanded polystyreneBeneath the blue: dive into a dazzling ocean under threat – interactive
With thanks to Dr Alan Jamieson of Newcastle University. Composite artwork created by the Guardian. Credits as follows: • Header: AFP/Getty Images. • Abandoned fishing…
View More Beneath the blue: dive into a dazzling ocean under threat – interactiveUK beach clean: disco ball and pink pants among oddest items found
A full-size disco ball, a plastic Christmas tree and a double mattress were among the more unusual objects found by volunteers cleaning up the UK’s…
View More UK beach clean: disco ball and pink pants among oddest items foundMicroplastics revealed in the placentas of unborn babies
Microplastic particles have been revealed in the placentas of unborn babies for the first time, which the researchers said was “a matter of great concern”.…
View More Microplastics revealed in the placentas of unborn babies