UPSC Express

Type of plastic bags

• The types of plastic bags used were:

1. Conventional
2. Degradable
3. Biodegradable

• They had no effect on the rate of ingestion.
• However, the presence of a biofilm led to the shredding which took place around four times quickly.

Results

• Through monitoring in the laboratory and on the shoreline, researchers demonstrated that the plastic bags were torn and stretched by Orchestia gammarellus.
• The micro-plastics were subsequently being found in and around their faecal matter.

Spreading of microplastics

• The results of study shows that the marine wildlife are actually contributing to the spread of micro-plastics within the marine environment.

Microplastics

• Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in ocean and lakes.
• Plastic debris can come in all shapes and sizes, but those that are less than five millimetres in length are called microplastics.
• They come from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing and industrial processes.

Classifications of microplastics

1. Primary microplastics- They are manufactured and are a direct result of human material and product use.
2. Secondary microplastics- They are microscopic plastic fragments derived from the breakdown of larger plastic debris like the macroscopic parts.

Orchestia gammarellus

• It is a species of amphipod in the family Talitridae.

Distribution

• They are widely distributed in Northern and Western Europe.

Habitat

• This amphipod lives in a wide range of habitats, occurring in marine environments such as shallow waters, the intertidal zone and in estuaries.
• It also lives in semi-terrestrial areas away from water, provided those areas are damp enough.
• It can be commonly found on shingle shores under decaying debris concentrated around the high water mark.