Keith Woolford Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Garbage Dumping into the Ocean seen as a Problem An estimated 30 percent of the garbage that is produces daily in Panama City, some 700 tons, is dumped in the ocean, according to the United Nations Program for the Environment (UNEP) and the Ministry of the Environment. The majority of this waste is plastic, an element that takes 400 years to decompose. Experts in marine biology and oceanography argue that this waste poses a threat to fish and crustaceans. Faced with this situation, the Authority of Water Resources has created a marine research center to study the effects of plastic and other substances, such as pesticides, on marine species. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Environment is working on legislation to confront the problem of garbage being dumped in the sea. According to UNEP data, each year about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the sea. This poses a risk to humans because the contaminants can end up in fish eaten by people. A recent study of shorebirds found that 90 percent of those found dead had plastic in their stomachs. A similar study of sea turtles found the same result. "The problem of plastic is very serious, as when it degrades it begins producing biphenyl, a chemical," explained scientist Edison Barbieri. He said this poses a danger to humans. "We are part of the ecosystem, and if it is not directly affecting us, it certainly is indirectly," said the oceanographer. He said that increasing recycling would be the quickest way to address the problem. http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Plastico-mar-mesa_21_4542505705.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 The above story makes it sound like pollution of the ocean is some kind of new revelation. "Faced with this situation, the Authority of Water Resources has created a marine research center to study the effects of plastic and other substances, such as pesticides, on marine species". "Study the effects"? Give me a break. Action is required, not further study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 49 minutes ago, Keith Woolford said: Garbage Dumping into the Ocean seen as a Problem An estimated 30 percent of the garbage that is produces daily in Panama City, some 700 tons, is dumped in the ocean, according to the United Nations Program for the Environment (UNEP) and the Ministry of the Environment. The majority of this waste is plastic, an element that takes 400 years to decompose. How can that be? Over 100 tons of plastic dumped each day into the ocean from Panama City?? Without using barges? There is no doubt at all that Panama Bay is highly polluted. I have no idea how far offshore one would need to be before seeing a fish, much less catching one. And Panama City actually has a modern landfill! That just seems like a huge volume of plastic each day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I grew up in Cleveland Ohio where on the shores of Lake Erie just outside of town was a huge sanitary landfill. Eventually that entire area became Cleveland's Lakeside Airport. (That's a LOT of garbage !) Imagine a smouldering mass of stink just outside of town ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 8 hours ago, Keith Woolford said: The above story makes it sound like pollution of the ocean is some kind of new revelation. "Faced with this situation, the Authority of Water Resources has created a marine research center to study the effects of plastic and other substances, such as pesticides, on marine species". "Study the effects"? Give me a break. Action is required, not further study. Keith, I had the same reaction. Study the effects of plastic? Are they serious? Plastic is one of the worst killers of marine life (and the most cruel, since it kills slowly), and this has been known for years. This situation is beyond depressing. I wonder how long they plan to study it before they do something about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF13 Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 We don't need no more stinkin' "studies". We really don't need "legislation" either. What we do need is governments at all levels to invest money into collecting and disposing of garbage properly. Of course, that might take away some of the spending power that politicians have, so don't hold your breath. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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