Brazilian researchers find 'terrifying' plastic rocks on remote island

[Judi Lynn]

MARCH 15, 2023
PUBLISHED AT 10:53 PM



"Plastic rocks" found on Trindade Island in the state of Espirito Santo is seen at the laboratory of the Federal University of Parana, in Curitiba, state of Parana, Brazil March 7.
Reuters

TRINDADE ISLAND, Brazil - The geology of Brazil's volcanic Trindade Island has fascinated scientists for years, but the discovery of rocks made from plastic debris in this remote turtle refuge is sparking alarm.

Melted plastic has become intertwined with rocks on the island, located 1,140 km from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, which researchers say is evidence of humans' growing influence over the earth's geological cycles.

"This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology," said Fernanda Avelar Santos, a geologist at the Federal University of Parana.

Santos and her team ran chemical tests to find out what kind of plastics are in the rocks called "plastiglomerates" because they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic.

"We identified (the pollution) mainly comes from fishing nets, which is very common debris on Trinidade Island's beaches," Santos said. "The (nets) are dragged by the marine currents and accumulate on the beach. When the temperature rises, this plastic melts and becomes embedded with the beach's natural material."

More:
https://www.asiaone.com/world/brazilian-researchers-find-terrifying-plastic-rocks-remote-island

[Deuxcents]

1. Back in the 80's, I supported a group called Sea Shepherd. They had split from Greenpeace

And were more militant w/ their protests but back then, dragging miles of fishing lines were one of their causes for obvious reasons. Now, after many years, the nets have turned into plastics and causing more environmental damage. Unbelievable.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Monstrous news, isn't it? Sea Shepherd had the goods on plastic fishing gear long ago.

Thanks for sharing Sea Shepherd's origin. I had never learned that. I admire them so much.

[Deuxcents]

3. They are still operating but w/o Paul..he was sued in court n now lives in Vermont

But Sea Shepherd Global is still chasing vessels going after whales n destroying marine life. They are non profit Pirates for the environment

[BWdem4life]

4. I think this is gonna go down on our permanent record.