There is an entirely new form of pollution in plastic and it is causing a headache for the scientific community

Plastic crisis is happening on a global scale. Plastics are now everywhere: on land, under the sea, even in the extreme cold and under the deepest in the world in the Pacific.

But this information is probably well known, even feeling bored because you have heard too much. If so, then we have the latest news: Science has just confirmed a completely new form of plastic pollution. They have seen rocks off the coast covered with a small plastic outside.

Plastic shell phenomenon.

They named this phenomenon " plastic shell" - plasticrust (made from plastic and crust) . The problem is that plasticrust is not only a sign that plastic garbage is too much, but also poses a real danger to living organisms and feeding on rock rapids. They can get into the food chain, causing incalculable consequences.

Plasticrust was discovered by experts from the Marine and Environmental Science Center (MARE) in Portugal. They have seen this phenomenon since 2016, when they saw plastic layers appearing in coastal rocks of the volcanic island of Madeira .

"This crust seems to be formed by the collision of large pieces of plastic with the rock . It causes the plastic fragment to break, clinging to the rock like the way moss, algae and lichens often do" - says Ignacio Gestoso. , marine ecology expert.

The plastic shell marks are mainly made up of polyethylene (PE).

Plastic shells look over and look very much like someone chewing gum or chew on a stone

At the present time, there is still too little research related to plasticrust - how they are formed, how it affects . Gestoso, however, said his team is collecting many samples to continue. dig deeper. Initial analyzes show that the plastic casing is primarily made up of polyethylene (PE) - a common material, used in most plastic bags and food covers today.

Notably, the study also showed that PE plastic is currently covering 10% of the island's rock. In addition, there are also evidence that shellfish such as oysters, snails . which cling to sea rocks to eat algae are also absorbing more plastic.

According to Gestoso, we will need future research to understand the severity of the impact of plastic shell on natural life. But at the present time, he and the scientific community want to call public attention to this issue. Because clearly, this is a sign that the amount of plastic released naturally is still very high.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have seen the " plastic " phenomenon with natural stone. In 2014, science found a new type of "stone" made entirely from molten plastic and organic garbage, named plastiglomerate.

Stone is made entirely from molten plastic and organic garbage named plastiglomerate.

Currently, experts believe that we have reached the point of need to see plastic as a fossil sign, showing the existence of a civilization.

"As a marine ecologist, I want to find other things, instead of announcing such a sad study," - Gestoso said.

The study is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.