globalbriefs
Tiny Baubles Microplastic Mess Threatens World Oceans
Scientists from the University of Hull and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have published research in the journal Science of the Total Environment showing levels of microplastics are five times higher in the Antarctic than previous estimates. Co-author Dr. Claire Waluda, a BAS biologist, says,
“We have monitored the presence of large plastic items in Antarctica for more than 30 years. While we know that bigger pieces can be ingested by seabirds or cause entan- glements in seals, the effects of microplastics on marine animals in the Southern Ocean are as yet unknown.” The tiny beads of plastic come from cosmetics or are
Tree Tally
Digitalizing Data Helps Rainforest Census
The Amazon rainforest is thought to harbor a greater diversity of trees than anywhere else on Earth, but the exact number has long been a mystery. In 2013, scientists estimated that the number of species was around 16,000, but no actual count had been done. In a new paper in Scientific Reports, researchers delved into museum collections from around the world to confirm the current number of tree species recorded in the Amazon and assess possibilities of those yet to be discovered. “Since 1900, between 50 and 200
new trees have been discovered in the Amazon every year,” notes Nigel Pitman, a Mellon senior conservation ecologist with the Field Museum. “Our analysis suggests that we won’t finish discovering new tree species there for three more centuries.” The study relied upon the
digitization of museum collections data—photographs and digital records—of the specimens housed there and shared worldwide through aggregator sites like
IDigBio.org. “It gives scientists a better sense of what’s actually growing in the Amazon Basin, aiding conservation efforts,” says Pitman.
shreddings from larger plastic items like clothing or bottles. According to United Nations sources, they may number as many as 51 trillion particles across the seafloor, throughout the oceans and on beaches worldwide. They are considered a serious threat to marine life in general. More international monitoring of the situa- tion is needed, including a requirement for all polar research stations to provide waste treatment options.
For more information, see
Tinyurl.com/PlasticInAntarctica.
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