Astonishing Discovery: The Ocean Releases Microplastics Back into the Air, Alarming Study Finds
A groundbreaking study conducted by a research team at the esteemed University of Oldenburg in Germany has revealed a disturbing phenomenon: microplastics that flow into the ocean are being released back into the atmosphere, posing a grave threat to mankind.
A Startling Revelation
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, are remnants of improperly treated plastic products. In a first-of-its-kind discovery, it has been unveiled that these microplastics, originally entering rivers through rainfall and subsequently infiltrating the sea, are now finding their way back into the air. This vicious cycle not only wreaks havoc on the marine ecosystem but also releases harmful particles into the atmosphere.
For this study, the research team embarked on the marine research vessel, Heinki, and collected ample samples of sea atmosphere spanning from the coast of Norway to the Arctic Circle. Through an ingenious technique involving a collection device placed at a height of 12 meters on the bow, air was sucked in and analyzed, resulting in the detection of various types of plastic particles.
Microplastics in the Air
Interestingly, the microplastics found in the air were diverse in nature, ranging from polyester particles commonly used in everyday items, polyethylene terephthalate (the raw material for PET bottles), to polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polystyrene. Notably, even minuscule particles shed from car tires were observed.
An anonymous official involved in the investigation shed light on this alarming discovery: “Bear Island in the Svalbard Islands, where air was collected by the Heinki, stands at an altitude unaffected by human impact. Through further analysis of the collected air, conducted with the breakdown of heat, various plastic particles were uncovered.”
Expressing deep concern, the official added, “It is truly shocking to observe the release of microplastics back into the atmosphere after they have made their way into the sea. With microplastics originating on land flowing into the ocean and consequently entering the atmosphere, there is potential for adverse effects on both human beings and animals.”
The Global Scale of the Problem
The study holds immense significance as it reveals that even the world’s most remote island, Svalbard, contains alarmingly high levels of microplastics, reaching up to 37.5 ng (nanograms, equivalent to one billionth of a gram) per cubic meter of air. Recent discoveries of microplastics in bottled water and human heart tissue suggest the pervasiveness of environmental pollution, now further magnified by their presence in the air above the ocean.
Another revelation made by the investigation’s anonymous official pertains to the role of ships in exacerbating microplastic pollution: “Microplastic particles floating near the sea surface are released into the atmosphere through spray splashes and the bursting of bubbles during inclement weather conditions. Ships play a crucial part in this unsettling phenomenon.”
Previous research has already indicated that paints and coatings used on ships serve as significant sources of pollution in the North Sea. Aligning with this, the study identified the presence of polyurethane and epoxy resin, commonly used as ship paints/coatings, in air samples.
Addressing a Global Crisis
The findings of this study serve as a stark wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for global efforts to combat the circulation of microplastics within the atmosphere. Time is of the essence as the indiscriminate pollution caused by these particles poses imminent risks to both ecosystems and public health.
Reporter Yoonseo Lee
🔗 Sources:
A surprising study has found that the ocean is releasing some of the microplastics that are flowing into the air again.
In a research report released on the 28th, a research team at the University of Oldenburg in Germany highlighted the fact that a number of microplastics that flow into the sea are released into the atmosphere again and afflict mankind.
Microplastics less than 5 mm in size are residues from various plastic products that have not been properly treated. This is the first time we have revealed that some of the microplastics that enter rivers with rainwater and then flow into the sea, destroying the marine ecosystem, are released into the atmosphere .
The research team moved the marine research vessel Heinki and collected the sea atmosphere spreading from the coast of Norway to the Arctic Circle. The research team, who sucked in air and analyzed it with a collection device placed at a height of 12 meters on the bow, identified several types of plastic here.
Experimental results show that microplastics that have flowed into the sea are thrown back into the air, which is surprising. <사진=pixabay>
Microplastics in the air were diverse, such as polyester particles in everyday use and polyethylene terephthalate, which is a raw material for PET bottles. Polypropylene, polycarbonate and polystyrene were also found. In particular, even small particles that fell off the car tires were confirmed.
An official from the investigation said, “Bear Island in the Svalbard Islands, where air was collected by the Heinki, is an altitude that is not affected by humans. As a result of breaking down the air collected here into heat and analyzing the gas and currently produced, various plastic particles were revealed,” he said.
The official added, “It is shocking that microplastics that have flowed into the sea are being released back into the atmosphere,” adding, “Microplastics produced on land flow into the sea and then mix into the atmosphere, which has the potential to adversely affect people. and animals.”
Untreated plastics end up in the ocean and contaminate the marine ecosystem. <사진=pixabay>
The research team gave significance as even the world’s most isolated island, Svalbard, contains up to 37.5 ng (nanograms, one billionth of a gram) of microplastics per cubic meter of air. Microplastics are contained in bottled water bottles and have recently been identified in human heart tissue, and the fact that they are floating in the air above the sea shows the seriousness of environmental pollution.
An official from the investigation said, “The microplastic particles that float near the surface of the sea are released into the atmosphere when spray splashes or bubbles burst due to bad weather.” He has a lot to do,” he said.
The research team pointed out that ships also increase microplastics in the sea atmosphere. Previous research has already shown that paints and coatings used on ships are an important source of pollution in the North Sea. In this study, polyurethane or epoxy resin, used as a paint or coating for ships, was detected in air samples.
Reporter Yoonseo Lee lys@sputnik.kr
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