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Author: Subject: Plastic Bags Litter Seafloor
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 10:55 AM
Plastic Bags Litter Seafloor


http://news.yahoo.com/plastic-bags-litter-seafloor-140008974...

You know what's becoming more common than fish in the sea? Plastic bags.

Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute surveyed underwater video footage. They saw that plastic bags have become ubiquitous on the seafloor off the U.S. West Coast—even as far away as Hawaii.

The institute's robot subs collected the videos over the last 22 years, mostly in and around Monterey Bay but also further afield. Technicians noted whenever it showed objects or animals.

The footage spanned shallow seafloors of 25 meters or so and areas nearly 4,000 meters deep. And in all too much of Monterey Bay, they found trash.

A full third of the trash was various types of plastic. The second most common object: metal cans. The rest of the trash was a mix of lost fishing equipment and rope, glass bottles, paper, cloth, even tires. The trash preferentially accumulates on steep, rocky slopes, perhaps because ocean currents drop it there.

And all that garbage is going to stick around. The microbes that could otherwise break down plastic bags or metal cans do not thrive in these deep, cold, dark waters. So remember, we may throw things away—but that doesn’t mean that they go away.

—David Biello

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Skipjack Joe
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 11:04 AM


This reminds me of a fishing guide out of Loreto who told me that discarding a bottle of Pacifico was fine as long as you filled it up with water and let it sink offshore. We were off Carmen at the time.
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Bubba
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 11:08 AM


I live on the Central Coast and plastic bags were banned in SLO county about a year ago. I actually like it even though I sometimes forget to bring my cloth bags into the market and end up paying 10 cents for a paper bag.
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 07:38 PM
A Deep Problem


It doesn't sound that serious.

".............The microbes that could otherwise break down plastic bags or metal cans do not thrive in these deep, cold, dark waters............."

As long as those Microbes do their job in the shallower water.

Awhile back, Stater Bros. tried a one-day experiment where they removed the Plastic Bags and told the customers only paper was available.

The results were ugly.

One checker I know said "I hope to God that they NEVER do that again".
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 08:22 PM


I was told by a marine biologist, that an aluminum beer or soda can will disintegrate into nothing in short order in the saltwater environment.

Just look at some aluminum boats.......and the effects of saltwater on them.
Aluminum cans are paper thin in comparison.

One just has to break that can open so it sinks.
So in this case, deep or shallow or mid depths......saltwater is saltwater.
No microbes involved.....just pure chemistry.
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mtgoat666
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 08:33 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
I was told by a marine biologist, that an aluminum beer or soda can will disintegrate into nothing in short order in the saltwater environment.

Just look at some aluminum boats.......and the effects of saltwater on them.
Aluminum cans are paper thin in comparison.

One just has to break that can open so it sinks.
So in this case, deep or shallow or mid depths......saltwater is saltwater.
No microbes involved.....just pure chemistry.


Well, then that makes it OK! Keep on littering!
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 08:47 PM
Happy Zero Plastic Week


The Majestic Plastic Bag

Is it possible to live one week without using single-use plastic items?



Zero Plastic Week (USA)




When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 08:51 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
It doesn't sound that serious.

".............The microbes that could otherwise break down plastic bags or metal cans do not thrive in these deep, cold, dark waters............."

As long as those Microbes do their job in the shallower water.

Awhile back, Stater Bros. tried a one-day experiment where they removed the Plastic Bags and told the customers only paper was available.

The results were ugly.

One checker I know said "I hope to God that they NEVER do that again".


Stater Bros is also slowly going out of business. As stated by another poster, then keep on littering I'm actually very happy that they BANNED these things on the Central Coast. It's the kind of crap stuck in the trees I used to see here and still see in Baja. It's a good thing they are no longer allowed here Mr Bill M.;D
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 08:51 PM


Time taken for objects to dissolve at sea
Paper bus ticket 2-4 weeks
Cotton cloth 1-5 months
Rope 3-14 months
Woollen cloth 1 year
Painted wood 13 years
Tin can 100 years
Aluminium can 200-500 years
Plastic bottle 450 years

Source: Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA)
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Skipjack Joe
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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 09:02 PM


It's all Greek to me:

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[*] posted on 6-9-2013 at 09:09 PM


damn paper bus tickets!:mad:
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 06:49 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
I was told by a marine biologist, that an aluminum beer or soda can will disintegrate into nothing in short order in the saltwater environment.

Just look at some aluminum boats.......and the effects of saltwater on them.
Aluminum cans are paper thin in comparison.

One just has to break that can open so it sinks.
So in this case, deep or shallow or mid depths......saltwater is saltwater.
No microbes involved.....just pure chemistry.


Well, then that makes it OK! Keep on littering!


And you can keep on being an idiot because NO where does it say that I littered!!
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 07:05 AM


No matter where you travel, live your life as if you were camping in the wild - don't leave anything behind, take it all back with you.



Just do it!
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Barry A.
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 07:18 AM


Aside from any actual physical "damage" litter may, or may not do, just the esthetics of SEEING trash is what saddens and offends me, both on top or under the water, or on land--------always has even as a kid.

It is so easy to pick up your trash (& others) and dispose of it properly it always amazes me that others don't do it. (sigh)

We seldom use plastic bags, and when we do we religiously recycle them. We have several cloth grocery bags permanently in each vehicle, and my wife carries 2 "chico bags" in her purse. The 'Chico bags' are great!!! http://www.chicobag.com/category/original

Barry
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 07:29 AM


Isn't this issue being addressed [in a way] here?

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=67137
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 02:15 PM
When they BAN Plastic Grocery Bags .....................


I'll simply buy Plastic Bags by the box and use them. They'd still be a bargain.

Doing so will be worthwhile given how many Liberals it will irritate.

I AM properly disposing of my Paper Bus tickets, though.
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 02:30 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I'll simply buy Plastic Bags by the box and use them. They'd still be a bargain.

Doing so will be worthwhile given how many Liberals it will irritate.

I AM properly disposing of my Paper Bus tickets, though.


How much better does it get?.....a bargain AND the chance to irritate liberals in one fell swoop.
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 02:34 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
How much better does it get?.....a bargain AND the chance to irritate liberals in one fell swoop.



I don't know, but has this plastic bag thing become a partisan issue like global warming?
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 02:44 PM
partisan issue?


I'm not ready to say plastic bags don't exist, or aren't manmade...<G>

Neil

"I don't know, but has this plastic bag thing become a partisan issue like global warming?"
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[*] posted on 6-10-2013 at 03:20 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS


I don't know, but has this plastic bag thing become a partisan issue like global warming?


No, I hope not, Dennis. I am very conservative politically, but I hate plastic bags and the damage they do, and it is sooooo avoidable with a tiny bit of effort.

Also, I don't doubt "Climate Change" for a second-----only the myth that we can do anything significant about it.

Political labels are soooo misleading.

Barry
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