Most marine debris is made from materials like glass, wood, plastic, and metal that last a long time in the environment. Some items take hundreds of years to decompose, while others only break down in to smaller and smaller pieces eventually becoming microplastics. These long lasting items, like plastic bottles, bags, and 6 pack rings, may cause entanglements to animals or get trapped in their gut. Microplastics can be eaten by very small animals and then move up the food chain as other animals eat the smaller animals.
You can help by not littering and by picking up litter, even if it is not yours (of course, always with an adult)! A good rule to follow when you are at the beach, park, or anywhere outside is “leave only footprints.”
To learn more and see a great poster about how long items may survive in the environment click here.
You can help by not littering and by picking up litter, even if it is not yours (of course, always with an adult)! A good rule to follow when you are at the beach, park, or anywhere outside is “leave only footprints.”
To learn more and see a great poster about how long items may survive in the environment click here.
http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/current-efforts/research
*Information taken from The Educator’s Guide to Marine Debris: Southeast Coast and Gulf Coast (COSEE-SE and SC Sea Grant Consortium)
Written by educator Sue Morrison
Written by educator Sue Morrison