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Even our Groundwater Has Microplastics... |
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by Rosa Domingos | 19-02-2019 15:18
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This could mean we're drinking our plastic waste. It seems to me that there is absolutely no part of the planet safe from the scourge that is mIcRoPlAsTiCs. Not only are they found floating in the air and in deep ocean trenches, but now a study from the University of Illinois has revealed that aquifers, which supply up to 25% of the world's population with drinking water, are contaminated, too. So basically... How much is there and where does it come from? The researchers took 17 groundwater samples from boreholes and springs. As a press release explains, 11 came from a highly fractured limestone aquifer near the St. Louis metropolitan area and six from an aquifer containing much smaller fractures in rural northwestern Illinois, in the United States of America. Every sample, but one contained microplastic particles, with a maximum concentration of 15 particles per liter. These concentrations are said to be comparable to those of surface water concentrations found in the rivers and streams in the Chicago area. How does an aquifer get contaminated? Study co-author John Scott explained that "groundwater flows through the cracks and voids in limestone, sometimes carrying sewage and runoff from roads, landfills and agricultural areas into the aquifers below." Because the samples also contained traces of pharmaceuticals and other household contaminants, it seems likely that the particles originated in household septic systems. "Imagine how many thousands of polyester fibers find their way into a septic system from just doing a load of laundry. Then consider the potential for those fluids to leak into the groundwater supply, especially in these types of aquifers where surface water interacts so readily with groundwater," said by Scott The researchers suggest that the findings cannot be interpreted in great detail, as there is very little data on microplastics in groundwater. So far, it is not known what the impacts about microplastics on our bodies are, so there’s no concentration that’s deemed unsafe or illegal. There is something deeply disturbing about the thought of drinking plastic waste in a glass of water. It goes to show how Earth's systems are deeply interconnected and how there is no 'away', and... Just because waste is out of sight does not mean it's not there, and it will come back to haunt us. It is more important than ever to support research in this area and to take personal steps to minimize our impact, whether it's buying all-natural fabrics instead of synthetics, washing clothes less frequently, taking steps to capture microfiber waste in the washing machine, and hang-drying. Reference: Martinko., K. 2019. Even groundwater is contaminated with microplastics. [Online]. Available: https://www.treehugger.com/clean-water/amp/even-groundwater-contaminated-microplastics.html. Feb 1, 2019. Accessed: Feb 18, 2019.
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9 Comments
Greetings rosa
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Sus
Posted 15-03-2020 16:29
Hey Asmita!
I concur, the oblivious state that our groundwater is in is a sight no-one should come to know. But we have to make terms with this status quo.
And thank you for your support!
Stay blessed okay,
Yours sincerely
Rosa Domingos
Posted 20-02-2019 22:46
Hey Rafa!
I trust you are well!
Thank you for reading my report!
And thank you for your support!
Stay blessed okay,
Yours sincerely
Rosa Domingos
Posted 20-02-2019 22:43
Hey Kushal!
I trust you are well,
From time to time, I like commenting on World reports and writing my reports in this section... Ingaging with members outside this ambassadorial group is very important to me and I like to know what they feel like with certain topics.
And thank you for your support!
Stay blessed okay,
Yours sincerely
Rosa Domingos
Posted 20-02-2019 22:38
Hey Muskan!
I trust you are well, yes indeed this is alarming. Moreover, so many people use groundwater on a day to day basis. Which is pretty alarming.
Thank you for your support!
Yours sincerely
Rosa Domingos
Posted 20-02-2019 22:35
Your reports are awaring and interesting as usual. Thank you so much sis.
The condition is pitiful we are haunted back by the wastes that we produced.
Posted 20-02-2019 10:02
Your report is really interesting and helping.great effort put
Posted 19-02-2019 23:23
Hello Rosa :)
Surprised to see your report on world report. You should have posted it on the Ambassadors' Report. Anyway thank you for your beautiful report partner :)
Green Cheers :) :)
Posted 19-02-2019 21:15
Microplastics from groundwater is finally entering our bodies!
It's indeed alarming. Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted 19-02-2019 21:14