Microplastic contamination found in groundwater in U.S.

[G_j]

http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/microplastic-contamination-found-in-groundwater-in-usa/article/541860

Microplastic contamination found in groundwater in U.S.

BY KAREN GRAHAM JAN 27, 2019 IN SCIENCE

A new study is the first to report microplastics in fractured limestone aquifers - a groundwater source that accounts for 25 percent of the global drinking water supply.

A study completed in the spring of 2018 in Illinois and published January 23, 2019, in the journal Groundwater, is the first time that microplastics have been detected in groundwater aquifers.

The study was conducted in collaboration with scientists at the Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, Loyola University Chicago, and ISTC on two aquifer systems in Illinois. Not only were microplastics identified, but researchers found a variety of medicines and household contaminants.

Fibers captured on a 20 micron filter. A micron (or micrometer) equals one millionth of a meter (a centimeter is one hundredth of a meter). The fibers were captured by filtering washing machine effluent after washing a Patagonia jacket. The scale in the photo indicates the length of 1,000 microns. Photo: Shreya Sonar, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB.

"Plastic in the environment breaks down into microscopic particles that can end up in the guts and gills of marine life, exposing the animals to chemicals in the plastic," said John Scott, a researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center and study co-author.
"As the plastics break down, they act like sponges that soak up contaminants and microbes and can ultimately work their way into our food supply."


Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/microplastic-contamination-found-in-groundwater-in-usa/article/541860#ixzz5e06f9p00

[Loki Liesmith]

1. Unclear how bad this is

Larger organisms do a good job expelling microplastics. Nanoplastics have a higher threat profile.

[NeoGreen]

3. It is not necessarily the plastics themselves...

...it is the contaminants that preferentially absorb/adsorb into/onto the plastics, at higher concentrations from back ground, which are then consumed and begin the process of bio-accumulation up the food chain.

[crazycatlady]

2. our planet is too full of plastic

We should really be getting away from single-use plastics.