Brazilian researchers find ‘terrifying’ plastic rocks on remote island

TRINDADE, BRAZIL, MARCH 15 (Reuters) – The geology of Brazil’s volcanic island Trindade has fascinated scientists for years, but plastic debris has been spotted at this remote turtle sanctuary. The discovery of rocks made from ​​is alarming.

On an island 708 miles (1,140 kilometers) southeast of Espirito Santo, molten plastic entangles rocks. Researchers say this is evidence of a growing human influence on the Earth’s geological circulation.

Fernanda Abelal Santos, a geologist at the Federal University of Paraná, said: “This is both new and frightening because the contamination extends to geology.

Santos and her team have run chemical tests to look for the type of plastic in rocks called “plastiglomerates,” because they’re made of a mixture of sedimentary particles and other debris held together by plastic. Did.

“We found[the contamination]to come mainly from fishing nets, which is a common debris found on the coast of Trinidad,” Santos said. “[The net]is dragged by ocean currents and accumulates on the beach. As temperatures rise, this plastic melts and becomes embedded in the natural materials on the beach.”

Trindade Island is one of the world’s most important conservation sites for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), with thousands of turtles visiting each year to lay their eggs. Only members of the Brazilian Navy live on Trindade, who maintain a base on the island and protect the nesting turtles.

“The[plastic]sample was found in a permanent reserve in Brazil near where green turtles lay their eggs,” Santos said.

The discovery raises questions about humanity’s legacy on Earth, Santos says.

Santos said of a proposed geological epoch defined by the impact of humans on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems, stating, “We talk a lot about the Anthropocene, but this is it. ‘ said.

“Pollution, marine debris, and plastic accidentally dumped into the ocean are becoming geological material … preserved in the Earth’s geological record.”

Reuters TV report by Sergio Queiroz. Written by Stephen Grattan.Edited by Sonali Pohl

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