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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.'

5 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. Our age will be known as... by guygo · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Plasticene.

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

    The Earth wanted plastic.

  4. And neither does anyone else... by Y.A.A.P. · · Score: 5, Informative

    Please, RTFA!

    The scientists in this article are classifying the characteristics of a new heterogeneous material, which is a necessity as the time for breakdown of this material may make it a significant part of the fossil record.

    The scientists are not saying it is a new form of rock. Only possibly the submitter or samzenpus are (mistakenly) saying this.

    To repeat: RTFA, no new rocks here!