‘Humanity’s signature’: study finds plastic pollution in the world’s lakes can be worse than in oceans

A world-first study has found concentrations of plastics in some lakes are higher than in the most contaminated parts of oceans, demonstrating the extent to which plastics have invaded Earth’s ecosystems.

Wood dust can trap up to 99.9% of microplastics in water, researchers find

Scientists at UBC’s BioProducts Institute found that if you add tannins to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that traps virtually all microplastic particles present in water

Microplastics: 77% more found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE – research shows

Discarded face coverings and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to be the cause of a rise in microplastics entering the environment

Why pineapple leaves are a promising candidate to replace plastic materials used in single-use masks

Pineapple leaves contain high levels of cellulose, and thus can be a good alternative to plastic fibres

The ocean is full of tiny plastic particles – we found a way to track them with satellites

Plastic is the most common type of debris floating in the world’s oceans. Waves and sunlight break much of it down into smaller particles called microplastics – fragments less than…

Nanoplastics study receives $1 million grant

Professor Daniel G. Cyr will be among the first to research this issue

Lung cells affected by microplastics, researchers find

Florida State University researchers looking at what inhalation and ingestion of these tiny particles can do to humans on the cellular level

Free academy to provide ocean plastics education

Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) has launched EPIC Academy, a free online program that will provide knowledge about ocean plastic pollution

Study finds microplastics pervasive in Pennsylvania

Microplastics in 100 percent of samples taken from 50 rivers, lakes and streams in Pennsylvania

63 tonnes of ghost gear removed from Atlantic in 2020

About 63 tonnes of lost or discarded fishing gear was removed from coastal waters in Atlantic Canada in 2020. Lost, abandoned and discarded fishing gear,…