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World|life|October 9, 2018 / 09:25 AM
Plastic waste on remote South Atlantic Islands ten times higher than decade ago

AKIPRESS.COM - Ten times more plastic is washing up on the shores of remote South Atlantic islands than a decade ago, new research shows, Sky News reports.

The findings show for the first time that plastic pollution on some remote South Atlantic beaches is approaching levels seen in industrialised North Atlantic coasts.

"Three decades ago these islands, which are some of the most remote on the planet, were near-pristine," explains lead author Dr David Barnes from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

"Plastic waste has increased a hundred-fold in that time, it is now so common it reaches the seabed. We found it in plankton, throughout the food chain and up to top predators such as seabirds."

Dr Barnes, whose team's work was published in the journal Current Biology, explains the largest concentration of plastic was found on beaches.

"In 2018 we recorded up to 300 items per metre of shoreline on the East Falkland and St Helena - this is ten times higher than recorded a decade ago.

"Understanding the scale of the problem is the first step towards helping business, industry and society tackle this global environmental issue."

Plastic causes many problems for animals including entanglement, poisoning and starvation through ingestion.

Some of the areas where the scientists saw the rise in plastics are established or proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

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