How your car sheds microplastics into the ocean thousands of miles away
New research reveals how roads channel microplastics from car tires and brake pads to remote ocean habitats.
Claire Gwinnett, Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science, Staffordshire University •
conversation
July 14, 2020 • ~6 min
July 14, 2020 • ~6 min
COVID-19 has resurrected single-use plastics – are they back to stay?
Pandemic precautions have given new life to disposable plastic products, which the industry claims are more 'hygienic' than reusables. But critics say there's no scientific evidence this is so.
Kate O'Neill, Professor, Global Environmental Politics, University of California, Berkeley •
conversation
July 14, 2020 • ~9 min
July 14, 2020 • ~9 min
Microscopic animals are busy distributing microplastics throughout the world's soil
Our research on a remote Antarctic island found microplastics in the intestines of tiny animals.
Tancredi Caruso, Associate Professor, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin •
conversation
June 25, 2020 • ~6 min
June 25, 2020 • ~6 min
Balloon releases have deadly consequences – we're helping citizen scientists map them
Releasing balloons at weddings and other celebrations is festive, until they break into pieces and become plastic pollution. A citizen science project is spotlighting the problem.
Shannon Brines, Applied Geographer, Lecturer and Manager, Environmental Spatial Analysis Laboratory, University of Michigan
• conversation
March 18, 2020 • ~8 min
March 18, 2020 • ~8 min
/
8