Plastic waste originating off the UK’s coasts presents a clear threat to wildlife in the fragile Arctic Circle, according to an article from Resource. Researchers from the Imperial College London, using a tool to track waste carried by the ocean’s currents, report that much of the plastic waste washed into the ocean from the UK coastline ends up in the Arctic within two years where it can harm or kill marine organisms that come in contact with it.
According to the article, a recently published study indicates that “fish that have grown up around plastic prefer to eat fragments of the material to their natural prey, stunting their growth and making them less wary of predator attacks,” and the impact of the waste on Arctic ecosystems could be “profound.” The UK is reportedly among the biggest plastic users in Europe, representing nearly eight per cent of European demand.
Read the entire article here.
