Maritime rope can be a major source of microplastic contamination

We’ve heard a lot recently that debris dispersed in the water is one of the main sources of microplastic contamination in the ocean. However, new research suggests that an aging seaweed may also make a significant contribution.Microplastics in the ocean are small plastic particles or fibres that float in water and are ingested by fish. When these fish are eaten by humans or other animals, microplastics enter their bodies and can cause health problems.

Previous research has shown that most microplastics come from plastic packaging and other waste that gradually degrades when discharged or washed into the sea. Other sources include synthetic textile fibres that end up in washing machine wastewater, and even rubber particles from car tires that are washed off roads and storm sewers. In both laboratory simulations and field experiments, it was initially established that one-year-old ropes throw about 20 pieces of microplastic into the ocean for every meter (3.3 feet) of rope stretched. This number increased to 720 fragments per meter for 2-year-old ropes and over 760 for 10-year-old ropes.

With those figures in mind, it was estimated that a 50-m (164-ft) length of new rope likely releases between 700 and 2,000 microplastic fragments each time it`s hauled in. It was further estimated that the UK fishing fleet – which includes over 4,500 vessels – may be releasing anywhere from 326 million to 17 billion rope microplastic fragments annually.

References:

New Atlas. (2021). Maritime rope may be a large source of microplastics pollution. [online] Available at: https://newatlas.com/environment/maritime-rope-microplastics-pollution/ [Accessed 28 Sep. 2021].