More than 150 fish in New Zealand, 75% contain microplastics!
A team of researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand found that three-quarters of more than 150 wild fish caught in a waters off southern New Zealand contained microplastics.
Using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to study 155 samples of 10 commercially important marine fish caught off the Otago coast over more than a year, the researchers found that 75 per cent of the fish studied contained microplastics, an average of 75 per fish. 2.5 microplastic particles were detected, and 99.68% of the identified plastic particles were smaller than 5 mm in size. Microplastic fibers are the most common type.
The study found similar levels of microplastics in fish living at different depths in the aforementioned waters, suggesting that microplastics are ubiquitous in the studied waters. The researchers say further research is necessary to determine the risks to human health and ecology from eating plastic-contaminated fish.
Microplastics generally refer to plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size. More and more evidence shows that microplastics have polluted the marine ecological environment. After these wastes enter the food chain, they will flow back to the human table and endanger human health.
So,it's very improtant to protect our environment, to protect earth we live. Use biodegradable products, deduce the usage of plastic ones, just action!
