Researchers Discover Microplastics In Soil Samples Dating Back To First Century CE

Researchers from England’s University of York have come across a path-breaking discovery published in a journal named Science of the Total Environment. They have found 16 different microplastic polymer types in contemporary and archived soil samples dating back to the first or second century CE from layers more than 23 feet (7.01 meters) deep. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles present in everyday items, including cigarettes, clothing and cosmetics. Their length is less than 5 mm, making them smaller than a grain of rice. As per the researchers, microplastics were commonly used in beauty products till 2020.

John Schofield, a professor and director of studies at the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, stated this discovery. He said, “This feels like an important moment, confirming what we should have expected; that what previously was thought to be pristine archaeological deposits, ripe for investigation, are contaminated with plastics. This includes deposits sampled and stored in the late 1980s.”

Why Microplastics are a big cause of concern

Microplastics are a nuisance because of their negative impact on marine life, humans, etc. They have a massive presence in the oceans and pose potential physical and toxicological risks to organisms. Talking about the marine ecological system, they are one of the biggest reasons for coral bleaching. In Coral Bleaching, corals are affected by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients. It causes them to expel the symbiotic algae residing in their tissues. Therefore, it turns them completely white.

In the case of humans, Microplastics make their way into the human bloodstream directly through products that use microplastics as an active ingredient. They also enter the blood through secondary sources such as drinking water or the food chain. Many consumer products like cosmetics and paints or medicinal hygiene items like sanitary pads reportedly use microplastics as active ingredients.

Considering the grave consequences of the microplastics, the scientists came up with many ways to eliminate them. One of them is the method to remove them from the water. The electrolytic treatment of wastewater can eliminate microplastics. It is based on the application of electricity in the electrodes to neutralise the pollutants present in the ionic forms in the aqueous state.