Why you should care that Greenpeace found microplastics and chemicals in remote Antarctic waters
Amanda Froelich August 1, 2018
After reviewing water and snow samples from Antarctica, obtained during a recent expedition, a Greenpeace group found the presence of
microplastics and persistent chemicals in the majority of samples tested. Considering there is little data for microplastics in Antarctic waters,
this latest analysis provides valuable information concerning the presence of such contamination in the region.
As Frida Bengtsson of Greenpeace said, most people imagine the Antarctic as a “remote and pristine wilderness.” But, due to mankind’s
[05] unsustainable habits and lack of regard for the environment, the remote habitat is now contaminated with microplastic waste and hazardous
chemicals. “We need action at source, to stop these pollutants ending up in the Antarctic in the first place, and we need an Antarctic Ocean
Sanctuary to give space for penguins, whales and the entire ecosystem to recover from the pressures they’re facing,” said Bengtsson.
Microplastics and toxic chemicals weren’t the only offenders observed _____ the environment. The team also found waste ______ the
fishing industry. “Buoys, nets and tarpaulins drifted in ______ icebergs, which was really sad to see,” Bengtsson continued. “We took them
[10] out of the water, but it really made clear to me how we need to put vast parts of this area off-limits to human activity if we’re going to protect
the Antarctic’s incredible wildlife.”
As a result of this finding, it is now a fact that plastic has been found in all corners of Earth’s oceans. To protect marine life and the health
of the oceans, pollution in all forms needs to be curbed.
The Truth About Plastic Pollution
[15] It’s easy to grab an iced latte from your favorite coffee shop in the morning, then discard it without a second thought. But what’s not easy
is comprehending how the simple action can adversely affect wildlife, the environment, and even present and future generations.
Believe it or not, approximately 80 percent of the plastic which is discarded on land makes its way to the oceans. Once the debris is floating
at sea, it gets swept into giant converges of floating rubbish. The greatest is twice the size of Texas and is known as the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch.
[20] Over time, the friction of the waves breaks down the plastic trash. Once the plastic wears down to about five millimeters (or about the size
of a sesame seed), it is considered to be a “microplastic”. This term encompasses the tiny particles of trash that are being ingested by
wildlife, leaching hazardous chemicals into the environment, and traveling into remote recesses of the planet. If there was ever a time to
take action, that time is now.
(Retrieved and adapted from http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/care-greenpeace-found-microplastics-chemicals-remote-antarctic-waters/. Access on August 20th, 2018)
The expressions we (line 6); they (line 7) and them (line 9), respectively, refer to
