Plastic and PCB Causes of Water Pollution
Plastics Contribute to Ocean Pollution and Affect Marine Life
Jun 11, 2009
Microplastics in ocean water is a growing concern according to the abstract of an article titled, “Contributing to Marine Pollution by Washing Your Face: Microplastics in Facial Cleansers, “ by Lisa S. Fendall and Mary A. Sewell of The School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Marine Pollution Bulletin online, Article in press as at May 27, 2009).
Effects of Water Pollution Using Facial Cleansers
According to the abstract, “In 2009...the average consumer is likely to be using microplastic containing products on a daily basis...”. Most facial cleansers contain “polyethylene microplastics.” The study concluded that microplastics were too small to be eliminated by wastewater plants, and find their way into waterways, lakes, and the ocean.
“Three-quarters of the [facial cleaner] brands [tested] had a modal size of <100 microns and could be immediately ingested by planktonic organisms at the base of the food chain,” according to the Auckland University abstract of the study. The abstract states that microplastics are subject to UV ray deterioration, and can absorb PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which will cause a greater toxic effect in water. The abstract concludes with the advice that marine scientists should continue to educate the public about the plastic pollution danger to the health of the ocean and marine life.
Plastic Pollution's Effect on Marine Life
“Plastic debris can transport organic contaminants in the oceans...recent studies...focused on the uptake potential of organic contaminants from the marine environment to plastic debris,” according to a question and answer article titled, “Plastic Marine Debris: What We Know.” The subtitle is “Frequently Asked Questions.” NOAA's answer is in response to the question, “Have there been studies by NOAA on impacts of plastics to marine mammals and fish?” The (author unknown) article, dated September 4, 2008, is by the Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA’s National Ocean Service, United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Types of Ocean Pollution Include PCB Plastic Connection
“NOAA Marine Debris Program and other NOAA offices have supported...studies on the impacts of plastics to marine mammals...” NOAA further advises. Like the University of Auckland study conclusion, NOAA also states that plastic debris can attract hydrophobic organic toxins such as PCBs adding to ocean pollution “...up to 105-106 times ambient seawater concentrations.” NOAA also states that plastics break down more slowly in water, but never completely go away.
Fendall and Sewell's advice that marine scientists should educate the public on the facts of plastic pollution contrasts with views such as this one: “Plastic and its carbon stays put for several thousand years...chemical bonds that are so strong, it takes many thousands of years to break down and release,” from a blog post dated November 30, 2007, titled, “Plastic is good for our environment (and computers).” The author is Tom Foremski, a publisher and reporter about business in the Silicon Valley. He publishes the on-line magazines, Silicon Valley Watcher, Silicon Valley Minute, and New Rules Communications. He also states, “I can’t understand why plastic hasn’t become the darling of the green movement.”
The University of Auckland study, and NOAA both state that plastics do break down over time, and can bind with PCBs. The facial cleansers that contain microplastics are so small that the University of Auckland conclusion is that they will escape wastewater treatment, and pollute waterways and the ocean.
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