WHAT'S IN THE SEA?
In May 2019, Victor Vescovo, an American explorer and traveller, dived solo in his submarine DSV Limiting Factor to 11 km, thus setting a new world record for the number of solo dives, the deepest dive and the longest period of time ever spent at the bottom of the ocean. On the way to the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, he discovered three new species of marine animals, a plastic bag and candy wrappers. Whether we like it or not, plastic will become the second largest component of marine ecosystems after water
24 | Summer 2019 | Lifestyle
in the mid-21st century. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in water every year. Eaten by marine animals, it is most likely to be consumed by us finally. It may take plastic from some 600 to over 1000 years to decompose. Nobody knows for sure how long it will actually last. If we keep dumping plastic into water at the current rate, there will be 1 tonne of plastic per 3 tonnes of fish in the oceans by 2025. Plastic in the oceans first of all poses a major threat to marine ecosystems. Swallowing microplastics (pieces less than 5 mm in diameter), zooplankton
do not collect food and cease to grow as a result. Aquatic animals, on the other hand, swallow macroplastics that cause gastrointestinal tract mechanical injuries and a feeling of early satiety, contributing to the creatures’ premature death. The question then is: what can we do for the nature? Start with implementing the 3 R’s principle whenever possible. Reduce the amount of packaging and waste; Reuse those which cannot be reduced; Recycle those which cannot be reused. And buy products made by environmentally friendly companies.
