Marmara is what we call the sea that connects Europe and Asia. It has become really polluted with plastics, specifically tiny pieces known as microplastics. Microplastics are a growing concern for marine life. Researchers have delved into this dirty issue, analyzing the pollution in the Gulf of Bandarma, which is part of Marmara. Marine life, such as mussels, oysters, Fish and sediment were tested.

The findings were alarming. In the fish, the average number of microplastic pieces in each individual was around 2. 8. Mussels and oysters had about 2. 6. The sediment, or the dirt found in the sea, contained between 195 and 226 microplastic pieces per kilogram. These are not mere numbers. It implies that plastic waste is everywhere in Marmara, down to the simplest marine species to the sediment.

A lot of chemicals are in microplastics are not good for marine life. Microplastics are made from things like polyester and polyamide, which are dangerous for sea creatures, and for us too. The worst part is that these harmful chemicals can build up in the food chain, this means that fish and other marine animals might get harmly poisoned.  One can only imagine what this means for the marine food chain and the many species that depend on a clean marine environment.

The study did not end there. Microplastics are very light, and so they get transported by the wind and currents, making them almost impossible to get rid of. How can we tackle this problem?  More research is needed to understand the extent of this problem and its effects on marine life and the environment.

The scientists behind this whole thing suggest that regular checks on the microplastic levels in the marine life and sediment could help us understand the problem.  Sediment is easier to measure than marine life.

Finally, what is the problem of microplastics? The fact is that these tiny plastic particles are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. We can't just clean them up, and they get everywhere, including in the environment.

Microplastics are everywhere. They are in the water, in the marine life, and the air.  This means that even if we stop all plastic production today, the problem of microplastics will continue for a long time.  The impact of this plastic waste on the marine ecosystem is something that we need to take more seriously.  Every action taken will have ripple effects on all forms of life, including OURS!

Plastic Strands Spread in Marmara

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