Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.'

3 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. George Carlin was Right! by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Earth wanted plastic.