Simon
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IELTS
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Compiled by
Ulugbek Yusupov
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Page 24
Since many animals are known to eat microplastics, scientists are concerned about the
toxic substances contained within them, as well as their capacity to accumulate within the
animals and stop them from absorbing nutrients correctly.
Even the largest marine creatures are vulnerable to tiny fragments of plastic littering the
world’s oceans. A new study has found whales and whale sharks – the largest fish in the
world
– are ingesting microplastics in alarming quantities. These creatures are filter feeders,
meaning they consume large quantities of small prey by straining them out of the ocean
water. In the process, they swallow hundreds to thousands of cubic meters of water daily,
meaning there is the potential for them to take in substantial amounts of
microplastic floating in the water.
Recently, plastic pollution has received a lot of attention for its effects on marine animals. In
the UK, microbeads have been banned, and other plastic items such as water bottles and
disposable coffee cups have also been in the firing line. However, while scientists agree
that plastic pollution is a problem for marine animals, there is still a lot they do not know
about the magnitude of its impact.
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