Common crustacean turns microplastics into "nanoplastics" in days

Part of the great difficulty in tracing the path of plastic pollution through the environment is the processes that break it down into tiny pieces along the way, such as the corrosive forces of ocean currents or ultraviolet light. Recently, scientists have begun to uncover evidence of how the digestive systems of certain animals can play a part in this process, with the latest concerning a small crustacean that can turn microplastics into “nanoplastics” in just four days.Continue ReadingCategory: Environment, ScienceTags: Plastics, Microplastic, University College Cork, Pollution, New Atlas Audio