'This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology,' says Fernanda Avelar Santos, a geologist at the Federal University of Parana.
TRINDADE ISLAND, Brazil – The geology of Brazil’s volcanic Trinidade Island has fascinated scientists for years, but the discovery of rocks made from plastic debris in this remote turtle refuge is sparking alarm.
Melted plastic has become intertwined with rocks on the island, located 1,140 kilometers from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, which researchers say is evidence of humans’ growing influence over the earth’s geological cycles. “This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology,” said Fernanda Avelar Santos, a geologist at the Federal University of Parana. Santos and her team ran chemical tests to find out what kind of plastics are in the rocks called “plastiglomerates” because they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic. “We identified mainly comes from fishing nets, which is very common debris on Trinidade Island’s beaches,” Santos said. “The are dragged by the marine currents and accumulate on the beach. When the temperature rises, this plastic melts and becomes embedded with the beach’s natural material.” Trindade Island is one of the world’s most important conservation spots for green turtles, or Chelonia mydas, with thousands arriving each year to lay their eggs. The only human inhabitants on Trindade are members of the Brazilian navy, which maintains a base on the island and protects the nesting turtles. “The place where we found these samples is a permanently preserved area in Brazil, near the place green turtles lay their eggs,” Santos said.“We talk so much about the Anthropocene, and this is it,” Santos said, referring to a proposed geological epoch defined by humans’ impact on the planet’s geology and ecosystems. “The pollution, the garbage in the sea and the plastic dumped incorrectly in the oceans is becoming geological material… preserved in the earth’s geological records.” –
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alsons Dev expands property development venture to Soccsksargen with Avia EstateGENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 14 March)—The Alcantara Group, a Mindanao-grown Filipino conglomerate, has expanded its property development operations from the Davao region to Soccsksargen, signa…
Read more »
Businesswoman slain, husband hurt in General Santos City ambushKORONADAL CITY – A businesswoman was killed while her husband was critically injured in an early morning ambush along a road in Barangay Fatima, General Santos City on Tuesday. Col. Jomar
Read more »
Erik Matti ecstatic over upcoming film with Vilma Santos: ‘It has been a dream’Erik Matti could not help but express excitement as he met again with Vilma Santos for their upcoming film, in which the veteran actress will portray a “fresh and memorable character.” | APasajolINQ
Read more »
Trader slain, husband wounded in General Santos City ambushKORONADAL CITY (PNA) – Two gunmen riding a motorbike shot dead a businesswoman and wounded her husband in an ambush in Barangay Fatima here before dawn on Tuesday, March 14.
Read more »
Intelligent Systems Lab seen to cater to GenSan, Soccsksargen growth needs | Manuel CayonGENERAL SANTOS CITY—Inside the ordinary-looking room at the College of Engineering of the General Santos City campus of the Mindanao State University (MSU) is a gallery of gadgets that now places the city in the roadmap of artificial intelligence (AI). In it is the P5-million Intelligence Systems Laboratory (ISL), the…
Read more »
Trader slain, husband wounded in General Santos City ambushTwo gunmen riding a motorbike shot dead a businesswoman and wounded her husband in an ambush in Barangay Fatima, Gen. Santos City early Tuesday. In a report, Col. Jomar Alexis Yap, General Santos C…
Read more »