When, in the distant future, geologists will study the cores, then at the “XXI century” mark they will see the beginning of a distinct layer of polymers. Probably this trace will remain throughout the Earth, but it will vary in composition. For example, in the region of the current Madeira, they will take the form “plastraste”, plastic crust on coastal stones – a new dangerous type of environmental pollution.
For the first time, plastrasts noticed in 2016 scientists from the Center for the Sea and Environmental Sciences of Portugal. Observations of the past since then proved that this is not an accident, but a very stable education. Probably, initially the waves simply smashed a plastic garbage against a cliff, but then it was not in a very understandable way into a “crust” in a very understandable way. She looks like a hardened toothpaste or chewing gum and covers stones on the shore like algae.
It is estimated that the plastracrost is already stained more than 10 % of the entire surface of the rocks on the shore of Madeira. In its composition, this is polyethylene, but already very compressed, very firmly attached to the stones, so it also remains after storms. The plastracite penetrated into cracks and in some cases even chopped off part of the stones. Yes, it does not spread, like living organisms, but does not disappear either – scientists believe that nature cannot process this type of pollution.
What is even worse, the plastracite has already entered the diet of marine inhabitants, for example, sea snails of the type of Littorina Littorea confidently absorb particles of plastic along with algae. Not because it is tasty and nutritious, but because it is in reach. This will hardly contribute to their health, but observations of the snails have just begun. In general, Portuguese scientists with sadness state – the problem of pollution of the planet with plastic acquires new forms.
Source — Sote