Plastic Pollution
Life in plastic: Harmful bacteria and algae may hide in ocean plastic waste
Researchers from North Carolina investigate how many microbes can thrive inside a plastic bottle. Their findings may surprise you!
Category: Pollution
Plastic Pollution
Searching for microplastics: Scientists find a ‘missing’ piece
Researchers at FAU collected microplastics at different depths in the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. What they found will alter global…
Plastic Pollution
When microplastics go marshing in: A tale of two tidal marsh birds
As microplastic pollution continues to threaten coastal biodiversity, this study confirms its presence in tidal marsh birds.
Human impacts Plastic Pollution
Can citizen science improve marine debris monitoring efforts?
Public cleanup efforts should be useful for monitoring debris on our coastlines, but these efforts can lead to low-quality data…
Plastic Pollution
Mitigating microplastic pollution through ballast water treatment
By making a small change to existing ballast water treatment systems, we have a chance to tackle microplastic pollution.
Pollution
Plastic pollution in the time of COVID-19 pandemic
Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic are not just confined to public health and the economy, they extend to the environment.
Plastic
Scratching the surface: Microplastic distribution in the surface layer of the world’s ocean
Researchers have developed a dataset of microplastics in the ocean surface waters across the globe.
Biodiversity Biological oceanography Biology Human impacts Plastic Science Communication
Are Diseases in Ocean Ecosystems Increasing?
Citation: Ward JR, Lafferty KD (2004) The Elusive Baseline of Marine Disease: Are Diseases in Ocean Ecosystems Increasing? PLoS Biol…
Plastic
Incidental Ingestion: Do fishes intentionally swallow microplastics?
Microplastics in our oceans are a growing problem, but how do fishes investigate and interact with these particles?
Biology Chemistry Hazards Human Health Plastic Pollution
How many microplastics are in your body? An insight into lifetime accumulation
Microscopic plastics have been found anywhere and everywhere, including in the food we eat. With plastic pollution on the rise,…
Pollution
Are biodegradable plastics too good to be true? Here’s what actually happens to them in the ocean
“Biodegradable plastics are better for the environment!” You might have heard this a lot, but is this true? Do biodegradable…
Ecology Hazards Human impacts Pollution
The disastrous effects of an oil spill: A tale of Mauritius vs. MV Wakashio
Does Mauritius ring a bell? This tiny Indian Ocean Island was hit by the worst oil spill it had ever…
Pollution
Sea lions and seals and PFAS, oh my: Location still matters for Australian pups
I recently found myself falling down a chemical pollutant rabbit hole. Every news source seemed to be shouting “PFAS chemicals…
Plastic Pollution
Let them eat plastic – Animals eating microplastic could choke the ocean
Plastic pollution may bring to mind big images - dead birds, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and beaches filled with…
Pollution
Fish feed on ocean plastic… but are they really only eating plastic?
Pretty much any plastic product is made from plastic pellets. However, billions of pellets have now made their way into…
Biochemistry Biological oceanography Chemistry Human impacts Physiology Pollution
Living Life to the Fullest: Enzyme Activity of Two African Mussel Species
Every day, our body performs a plethora of activities. We breathe, exercise, eat food, think, and socialize. Behind all of…
Biology Human impacts Lakes Plastic
Can Green Algae Capture Microplastics in the Great Lakes?
Microplastics (specifically microfibers) can adhere to the cell walls of the green algae Cladophora, potentially removing them from the water.
Biochemistry Biology Ecology Human Health Human impacts Pollution Toxicology
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes in Seahorse Hormones
While we already know that plastics are harmful to the environment, do you ever really think about how they can…
Pollution
The Otter Guys: How heavy metal pollution affects Alaskan northern sea otters
Most pollution is clearly visible in nature, but some types are very subtle. In the case of heavy metal pollution,…
Biology Climate Change Harmful Algal Bloom Pollution
Oxygen Minimum Zones: Should we be worried?
Reviews and syntheses: Present, past, and future of the oxygen minimum zone in the northern Indian Ocean It is no…