The WTF: The Week This Friday Vol. 21

Move over microbeads!

SOURCE: crystalcandymakeup

New research indicates that glitter is causing ecological damage to freshwater habitats. Yes, I am talking about the glitter in your $70-dollar Urban Decay eyeshadow palette.

According to a new study led by Dr. Dannielle Green of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), glitter is effecting the root length of common duckweed, and lowering the levels of chlorophyl in the surrounding water.

“Our study is the first to look at the effects of glitter in a freshwater environment and we found that both conventional and alternative glitters can have a serious ecological impact on aquatic ecosystems within a short period of time,” Green said, “All types, including so-called biodegradable glitter, have a negative effect on important primary producers which are the base of the food web.”

Green said she believes the harmful effects might be a result of the plastic coating surrounding the glitter leaching into the water. Her team is planning on examining these effects further. Moreover, this kind of research opens to the door to looking more closely at the harmful effects the cosmetic industry has on the natural environment.

In the meantime, this is just one more reason to buy the matte shadows next time you’re at Sephora, I never liked the glitters anyway.

Zoom Towns

SOURCE: Pexels

A side effect of the Covid-19 virus that I actually enjoy is my new ability to work remotely. Because of this, I have been able to “ride out the pandemic” in much nicer places. Apparently, I am not the only one who sees this appeal. According to Phys.Org, getaway communities all around north west US, which host ski reports, national parks etc… have seen an influx of visitors since the pandemic- all wanting to also “ride it out”.

This influx, also known as amenity migration, has created the rise of “zoom towns”.

Danya Rumore, from the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah has been studying these development changes in these getaway communities. “This trend was already happening,” Rumore said, “but amenity migration into these communities has been expedited and it can have destructive consequences if not planned for and managed. Many of these places are, as some people say, at risk of being loved to death.”

Rumores team found a variety of problems associated with the influx of visitors in these communities including changes in housing affordability, environmental degradation, and transportation issues. To try and relieve some of these pressures from the rapid migration to these towns, her team launched the Gateway and Natural Amenity Region (GNAR) Initiative.

Rumore stated, “The main takeaway from our study and work with gateway communities is that these towns and cities need to plan ahead to manage change and the things that come with it….The goal of the GNAR Initiative is to help these places thrive and preserve the things that make them so special.”

As many microfibers in California as stars in the Milky Way.

Source: Unsplash

A new study has found a shocking new way to scale pollution from plastic microfibers found in synthetic clothing. It has created one of the most prevalent type of plastic waste. It is often overlooked as it is mostly invisible.

They found in 2019 that an approximate of 4,000 metric tons – or 13.3 quadrillion fibers were released to California. To put 13.3 quadrillion into scale, the authors of the study have compared it to as many stars found in the Milky Way galaxy.

These fibers are made up of microplastics that are smaller than 5mm and shed mostly in the wash cycle. Around 700,000 fibers are released per every wash, but it also depends on the materials, temperature, detergent. It mostly comes from clothing made up of any type of synthetic materials, with the biggest culprit of shedding being acrylic and polyester. The fibers then make their way into the water systems and airways at the end of the cycle.

Currently, no washing machines have any filters to capture the fibers but studies have found that certain conditions of the wash cycle contribute more to the shedding of the microplastics. Thick fabrics shed more than thin ones, new garments shed more than older ones, hot wash produces more than colder temperatures, and top loading washers cause more shed than front load washers.

Swinging for Hope

Source:Pixabay

With landslides tearing forests apart, it segregates many species of primates and other wildlife from vital and necessary conditions to find food and mates. Scientists have created an innovative, yet temporary solution: a rope connecting tree to tree – allowing the apes to roam further to find essentials for survival.

The most rare primate in the world – a gibbon was seen swinging across the artificial rope bridges. They only reside in China’s Hainan island. Many other primates have learnt to use the artificial bridge but it was the first sign of the gibbons using it for their needs.

Conservation scientists state that the structure is an essential lifeline for these species – while the forests are being restored after the landslides. There are now five groups of gibbons making up the population of around 30 of the species. With deforestation and habitat destruction deeply affecting their vitality. The numbers from 2003 – 13 gibbons to now 2020 – 30 gibbons have shown that there is hope to bring these rare species back into a stable status through conservation efforts – the bridge is a swing of hope to keep this momentum going.

Ancient Colony of Penguin Mummies found in Antarctica 

Cape Irizar – near the coast line
Source: CTV News 

We knew that global warming reached one of the coldest regions on Earth – Antarctica, but what we didn’t know was what the snow melt would reveal.  In 2016, U.S. researchers discovered a remarkably preserved ancient penguin colony on a rocky and remote Cape Irizar which overlooks the Ross Sea. Lead author of the study, Steven Emslie, was puzzled, explaining that it was strange because there hadn’t been any record of breeding penguins in that area since its discovery in 1901. When Emslie and his research team reached the cape’s coast, they discovered pebble mounds that penguins used to nests in addition to plenty of penguin excrement. Initially, Emslie thought this was just an active colony that they may have missed, however, it soon dawned on him that he may have stumbled upon an ancient colony that had been buried by snow and was only now being exposed due to rising global temperatures. In order to confirm that this was in fact an ancient colony, the research team excavated three of the pebble mounds and brought back samples of the bones, feathers, eggshells, and skin to the lab. Using radiocarbon dating, it was confirmed that the penguins likely last occupied the area during ““medieval warm period,” which began about 1,200 years ago and ended at the start of the “Little Ice Age,” approximately 800 years ago”. So that’s the story of the ancient penguins – the colony was fresh, covered and frozen until it recently re-emerged. Thawing glaciers have been revealing archeological artifacts in the North for some time now. However, in the Southern hemisphere this has not been the case. Emslie predicts that “we’ll see more of it in the future with the melting trend.” These findings prove that climate change is real and it’s happening in one of the coldest parts of the world. To read more about these findings click here. 

The World is Losing its Coral Reefs – Coral Bleaching 

Coral Bleaching at Heron Island, Queensland during thee 2016-2017 mass bleaching event
Source: The Guardian 

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef had lost more than half of its coral since 1995. Scientists have found that all types of corals suffered a decline across the world’s largest reef system. This catastrophe is due to warmer seas driven by climate change. The steepest falls came after mass coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017. More mass bleaching occurred this year. The study was conducted by researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Queensland, Australia. Scientists assessed the health and size of coral colonies across the reef from 1995 to 2017. Their findings indicate that populations had dropped by more than 50% in all coral sizes and species, but significantly in branding and table-shaped coral reefs which are the large structures that provide habitats for fish and marine life. Professor Terry Hughes, co-author of the study, explained that these coral types have been worst affected by continuous mass bleaching events. Bleaching occurs when water is too warm, causing the corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues ultimately leading the coral to turn completely white. If normal temperate conditions return, the coral can recover, however, this process can take decades. Lead author of the study, Dr. Andy Dietzel, explains that the recovery of the Great Barrier Reef is compromised compared to the past because there are fewer baby corals and fewer large breeding adults. This is not good news. In March of this year, scientists reported the reef had suffered its third mass bleaching event in 5 years. The full scale of the insurmountable damage is still being assessed.  Human driven warming remains the biggest threat to long-term reef survival. We must take urgent action by sharply decreasing GHG emissions and curb global warming or there won’t be any corals left. “The UN has warned that if global temperate rise reaches 1.5C, 90% of the world’s corals will be wiped out completely”. To read an interview conducted with Terry Hughes click here.