There is much talk recently about plastic micro-granules, either from cosmetics or being formed as a result of larger pieces of plastic fragmenting, being found in the ocean. They are supposedly clogging up the eco-system and ascending up through the food-chain as small creatures like plankton ingest them initially and these then in turn are ingested by larger creatures.
What I don't understand is why these grains of plastic are any worse than grains of sand or mud (something that is obviously fairly ubiquitous in the oceans) - both are presumably similar sizes and will presumably pass through the digestive tract in the same way, eventually being excreted along with other waste. So why do people worry so much more about man-made plastic grains than the natural mineral grains of sand and mud?
What have I missed?
Niall
What I don't understand is why these grains of plastic are any worse than grains of sand or mud (something that is obviously fairly ubiquitous in the oceans) - both are presumably similar sizes and will presumably pass through the digestive tract in the same way, eventually being excreted along with other waste. So why do people worry so much more about man-made plastic grains than the natural mineral grains of sand and mud?
What have I missed?
Niall
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2Di7ASv
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