Microplastic pollution Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Microplastic pollution Deck (12)
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1
Q

what classes as a microplastic?

A

plastic less than 5mm in size

2
Q

types of microplastic

A

primary - manufactured less than 5mm

secondary - result of breakdown of plastic of larger pieces of macroplastic

3
Q

how many microplastic particles do global oceans contain

A

between 15 and 51 trillion

4
Q

what % of microplastic in the oceans is from secondary microplastic

A

69-81%

5
Q

how many tonnes of micro plastics enter the marine environment every year from Europe alone?

A

80,000-219,000 tonnes

6
Q

sources of micro plastics?

A

primary- industry, medicine, clothing

secondary - food packaging and fishing

7
Q

sinks of micro plastics?

A

garbage patches, open ocean, beaches, sea bed, air, wildlife, rivers, soil

8
Q

how do micro plastics lead to pollutants getting inside fish?

A

they act as a transport vector

9
Q

ecological impact of micro plastics

A
  • mistaken ingestion
  • sharp edgers- stomach ulcers
  • false satiation-feel full
  • leaching of plastic additives and POPs
10
Q

how to test for microplastics

A

gather samples and sieve through mesh with 1mm and 5mm

11
Q

what % of microplastic pollution is land based?

A

98%

12
Q

is microplastic present in the Bristol Channel?

A

yes and there are many sources in the region