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Plastic Trash Forming Into "Plastiglomerate" Rocks

Posted by samzenpus on from the earth-plus-plastic dept.

sciencehabit (1205606) writes 'Plastic may be with us a lot longer than we thought. In addition to clogging up landfills and becoming trapped in Arctic ice, some of it is turning into stone. Scientists say a new type of rock cobbled together from plastic, volcanic rock, beach sand, seashells, and corals has begun forming on the shores of Hawaii. The new material--which the researchers are calling a "plastiglomerate"--may be becoming so pervasive that it actually becomes part of the geologic record.'

9 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. UV by tekrat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Riddle me this batman... UV light breaks down plastic, I've witnessed it every time I restore a car, or an old computer. All the plastic becomes brittle, breaks down, and eventually crumbles to plastic dust... Why doesn't this happen to the plastic in the ocean -- and everywhere else?

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
    1. Re: UV by GreyLurk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The plastic dust is probably what makes up the Plastiglomerate

    2. Re:UV by bmo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      >microbes eating plastic

      You're not the only one to ask that question.

      http://www.goodreads.com/book/...

      I picked that book up in the 70s and the story sorta stuck with me. Worth the read.

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      BMO

    3. Re:UV by TapeCutter · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It does, eventually, all depends on the type of plastic and is heavily dependent on the time it takes antibacteial agents within the plastic to break down. It's been known for quite some time that there does not seem to be any surface anywhere on the planet that does not have some microscopic plastic dust sprinkled on it. What these guys have noticed is that recent formations of sandstone/mudstone(?) contain plastic dust. To paraphrase the great Carlin, "The Earth doesn't care, it just incorporates palstic into a new paradigm - The Earth plus plastic."

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      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  2. George Carlin was Right! by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Earth wanted plastic.

  3. I don't think they are rocks by Flozzin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How are these things rocks? We made them, then they melted. The grabbed onto rocks sure. But once you stick to a rock you become a rock? Rock's are minerals. I wasn't aware plastic is now considered a mineral? If I melt glass around a rock, can I call that a new type of rock? Or can I take super glue and glue some pebbles together and call that a new type of rock?

    --
    "Cowardice in a race, as in an individual, is the unpardonable sin." --Teddy Roosevelt
  4. Re:George Carlin called it by Flozzin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Get out of here. We are nature too. Just because we are self aware does not make us different. We evolved just like every other species. Beavers change their habitat too. Just we do it so much better. Self hating humans are the worst type. If you truly believe this then hopefully you made the choice to NOT have children.(as opposed to the forever alone basement dwellers where everyone else has made that choice for them)

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    "Cowardice in a race, as in an individual, is the unpardonable sin." --Teddy Roosevelt
  5. Re:Our age will be known as... by durrr · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think The Obscene will capture the spirit better.

  6. Typical AAAS tripe by bradley13 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Here's the key phrase out of the abstract: "...melted plastic during campfire burning... [increases] the potential for burial and subsequent preservation". Why? Because lumps of melted plastic stick to sand or rocks, and hence are more likely to not blow away, be degraded by UV or whatever.

    This is a topic for a scientific paper, and deem headline-worthy by the AAAS? I knew there was a reason I cancelled my membership a couple of decades ago...

    --
    Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.