Microplastics about glaciers: alarming effects on the environment!

Microplastics about glaciers: alarming effects on the environment!

Wien, Österreich - The alarming results of research on plastic pollution have recently come to light and show how desperate the situation is. A team led by ecologist Birgit Sattler from the University of Innsbruck found that conventional glacier fleece releases massive amounts of microplastics. Plastic fibers with a total length of three kilometers were found on a square meter of glacier ice cream, which shocked Sattler. These microplastic particles can get to the drinking water via melting water, the scientist urgently warns: "Over time, the plastic is getting smaller and can get into the human body." Therefore, cellulose is being worked on biodegradable fleece, which have already shown success in initial tests. These new materials should help protect the ice better and prevent microplastics, so reports orf.at .

technological approaches to combat the flood of plastic

The dramatic spread of plastic in the environment goes far beyond glaciers. In downtown Vienna, the plastic problem becomes just as drastically visible when styrofoam insulation foam gets into the sewage system through rain and finally drift into the Danube and the oceans. In Europe alone, around 13 million tons of plastic end up in the sea, which has devastating consequences for the ecosystem. Innovative projects of the European Union are currently testing state -of -the -art technologies to combat this problem, including with the help of robust robotic and light -active nanoparticles that are supposed to reduce microplasty, reports dw.com .

The combination of the results from Innsbruck and Vienna shows the pressing overall problem of plastic pollution and the need for immediate and effective measures. Environmental technology runs and the responsible work is at full speed to protect the earth peoples from the plastic flood caused by our own actions. Through joint research efforts and technological innovations, a sustainable way out of this crisis is sought to preserve the glaciers and water for the coming generations.