A hasty, unscientific review of definitions of "biodegradable" via the web suggests that there is some variance in the anticipated nature of the end products of biodegradation. Based on definitions I quickly browsed, the end products of a "biodegradable" item could include: carbon dioxide, water and biomass only; only organic material; harmless artificial materials; toxic products; or, apparently, microscopic particles of plastic.
The lesson I'm taking from Irene's posting is that a wise consumer of "biodegradable" products needs to dig deeper and find out what they biodegrade into.
Mike
--------
Michael Pol
Sr. Marine Fisheries Biologist/Program Leader
Conservation Engineering
Division of Marine Fisheries
1213 Purchase St - 3rd Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740 USA
+1.508.990.2860 x116
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--------
-----Original Message-----
From: Scientific forum on fish and fisheries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Judith S. Weis
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2014 8:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [FISH-SCI] [Fwd: Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems]
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I guess it depends on what press you read. I hear tons of stuff about this issue here in the US.
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>
> Hi,
>
> Dangers from plastics in rivers and the sea do get some press coverage
> in Austria and Germany. However, this was the first time I heard about
> biodegradable plastics being harmful.
>
> best wishes, Irene
>
> On Do, 2.10.2014, 11:48, Magnus Johnson wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I don’t quite understand why this doesn’t get more press. I have
>> a postgraduate working on plastic particles, their ability to absorb
>> persistent organic pollutants and likely effects on mussels. When I
>> have examined the stomachs of lobsters I have found them to be full
>> of nylon fibres they have nibbled off lobster pots.
>>
>> The issue could be a basis for a decent H2020 application. Any
>> interest?
>>
>> Cheers, Magnus
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Scientific forum on fish and fisheries
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Irene Zweimüller
>> Sent: 02 October 2014 10:39
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [Fwd: Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems]
>>
>>><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
>> REPLIES WILL BE SENT TO THE FISH-SCI LIST <>< <>< <><
>> <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> I´m forwarding this mail coming from a group of greek
>> marinebiologists, as it may be interesting. At least I was not aware
>> of the dangers of biodegradeable plastic (7th paragraph in the mail).
>>
>> best wishes
>> Irene
>>
>> ------------------------ Ursprüngliche Nachricht
>> ------------------------
>> Betreff: Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems
>> Von: "Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation"
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> Datum: Do, 2.10.2014, 10:40
>> An: [log in to unmask]
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> -----
>>
>> Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems ==========
>>
>> The first autumn rains initiated a destructive journey of tons of
>> plastic and other debris, which had mostly been accumulating on the
>> roadsides throughout Greece, towards the sea.
>>
>> For many months, this garbage was "waiting" for the local authorities
>> or communities to act, for their collection, with no response!
>>
>> It is unfortunate to see such a large part of the public impassively
>> contributing to the great presence of waste via their everyday life.
>> **Only a few are aware that plastic is highly dangerous as it
>> degrades into our environment.**
>>
>> Until recently it was widely believed that plastic requires hundreds
>> of years to break down, and this led **many people to quietly let the
>> problem roll over to our future generations by simply not taking any
>> action.**
>>
>> The vicious circle of plastic is especially alarming. Recent research
>> conducted in Greece, and worldwide, have demonstrated how inaccurate
>> the belief of how slow the rate of plastic breakdown truly is.
>>
>> For example, when common types of plastic (such as bags or water
>> bottles)
>> are discharged into the environment, **it can take only a few months
>> of UV radiation, salt, and wave-effect to break them into small
>> fragments, which later become microscopic fibers.**
>>
>> Also, it has to be noted that one of the most dangerous products of
>> plastic widely used in recent years is the so-called
>> “biodegradable†bags.
>> Their widespread use is a scandal, **as the material is not actually
>> “biodegradeableâ€, nor recyclable, it just degrades faster due to
>> the effect of a chemical catalyst** breaking down the plastic
>> material into smaller pieces, therefore entering our food chain faster.
>>
>> The consequences of this modern form of pollution are particularly
>> devastating for both natural ecosystems and the protected species
>> these support, as well as for human health.
>>
>> Since 2009, **researchers from Archipelagos Institute of Marine
>> Conservation have been carrying out thorough research throughout
>> Greece on the dispersal of microplastic fibers within ecosystems,**
>> studying their abundance on coastal sediments, fish, invertebrates,
>> surface waters, etc.
>>
>> Furthermore, we investigate the accurate breakdown rates of different
>> types of plastic in real ecosystem conditions, i.e. in the sea,
>> rivers and coasts.
>>
>> Archipelagos have already published relevant scientific papers, in
>> collaboration with researchers from Swansea University, which
>> highlights the extent of the problem in the Greek seas.
>>
>> **Unfortunately, in uninhabited areas of the Aegean, we found
>> concentrations of microplastic fibres which are equivalent to those
>> of the coastal areas of Athens.**
>>
>> Our goal is the study of this vicious circle of plastic pollution and
>> to determine the way this impacts the rich biodiversity of the Greek
>> seas, as well as human health.
>>
>> At the same time we are making unremitting efforts to address the
>> problem by raising the awareness of both the authorities and the
>> wider public.
>>
>> This effort does not have sufficient support. Despite the concern and
>> mobilization of some local authorities and communities, **many still
>> view the Greek territory as an open dump.**
>>
>> This is easily proven by the images of scattered waste in all local
>> and national roads, for which, no one seems to care.
>>
>> **This problem is caused not only by all those who pollute the
>> ecosystems, but also by all those who tolerate the situation as
>> inactive
>> spectators.**
>>
>> Another worrying aspect is that all marine organisms we have
>> analysed, which include fish and marine invertebrates, were found to
>> contain microplastic fibers, either in smaller or in greater
>> quantities, inside the stomach.
>>
>> This, however, should not deter us from eating fish, as **it remains
>> one of the most valuable and nutritious food for humans** (and
>> usually the stomach which contains the plastic fibers is not consumed).
>>
>> Undoubtedly, **microplastics are a rapidly growing threat, without
>> geographical boundaries,** as the dispersion of tiny fibers
>> increasing in all oceans and seas worldwide.
>>
>> **The most effective action would be to completely ban the use of
>> plastics.** However, realistically, this method cannot be applied as
>> it encounters conflicting interests.
>>
>> Until then, however, it is our obligation **to manage plastic as a
>> dangerous and irrecoverable material** (from the time of its
>> breakdown), which should be recycled and in any case never be
>> released into the environment.
>>
>> Web Version
>> https://madmimi.com/p/13fa55?fe=1&pact=25420654772
>>
>> Unsubscribe
>> https://go.madmimi.com/opt_out?fe=1&pact=25420654772
>>
>> Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation | Pythagorio Samos,
>> 83103
>>
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