South Atlantic Islands Suffer Pollution Due to Plastic Waste

In the present world of industrialization and modernization, something that comes our way complimentary is the pollution of all kinds. Increase in the use and improper disposal of plastic is another cause behind increased levels of pollution these days. In the wake of development and growth we often forget our responsibility towards the environment around us.

Although the entire world is facing this condition, some regions are heavily suffering. One such region is the South Atlantic islands. The amount of plastic waste that is destroying the entire island has increased 10 folds as compared to a decade ago. The scientists have observed that plastics wastes are eating up these biologically-rich regions that in no way can be re created once destroyed. This includes the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) also. The levels of the pollution due to plastic in this region have started to match the pollution levels in the industrialized North Atlantic coasts. A team of researchers sampled the water surface, water column and seabed, surveyed beaches and examined over 2000 animals across 26 different species during four research cruises on the BAS research ship RRS James Clark Ross between 2013 and 2018. They found that the amount of plastics polluting these regions has increased more than ever before. More than 90% of beached debris was plastic, and the volume of this debris is the highest recorded in the last decade. Lead author Dr. David Barnes from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) stated that about three decades before the condition here was good. From that time till now, the condition has worsened almost around 100 times. The presence of plastic contents has also been found in planktons, throughout the food chain and up to top predators such as seabird. Out of all, the beaches are the most polluted. In 2018 the team recorded up to 300 items per metre of shoreline on the East Falkland and St Helena. These figures are about 10 times more than those recorded about 10 years ago. The preliminary step that must be taken is to understand the gravity of this situation, only then can the authorities help the businesses, industries and society tackle this global environmental issue. The increase in the levels of plastics leads to innumerable problems such as entanglement, poisoning and starving through ingestion. These are critically harmful for health. The arrival of non-indigenous species on floating plastic "rafts" is another problem that has been observed. This research has brought forward that slowly and steadily all regions including the industrialized ones and those that are rich in bio diversity are equally being harmed by the increasing levels of plastics. It is immensely saddening and heart breaking to witness this condition. It’s a wakening call for all us around the world. It is indeed time for all of us to be serious and responsible enough towards our precious environment and surroundings. That day isn’t far when we will lose all of our biodiversity and greenery because of our urge to grow and develop.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181009102523.htm