Highlighting the issues in plastic accumulation

As network of early stage researchers in biotechnology connected to greener approaches, we would like to bring also to our attention a current global issue. The harmful potential of the plastics in Earth landscape is a hot discussed topic at the moment. Similarly to many anthropogenic impacts on nature, and despite widespread recognition of the worry, this is potentially still growing and even if stopped immediately will persist for centuries. The major amount of plastics released into the environment is the result of inappropriate waste management and disreputable human behavior (e.g. abandoning waste improperly). [1]

Do we really need to use the amount of plastics we are using everyday? The answer is probably no. We are just all used to the daily utilization of plastic tools, many of which are for single use. Until a massive plan is not applied in each country prioritizing the sustainability (e.g. fully commercialization of bio-degradable plastics and/or intensive proper waste management with a view to the circular economy), at least littering must be avoided.

Massive plastic accumulation is taking place on different landscapes, occurring heavily on coastlines, at the sea surface, on the sea floor, and in Arctic sea ice. [2, 3, 4] This has been slowly begun since approximately 1950 when its production started to be intensive. Mainly due to its general high strength and the massive production, the long degradation time of used plastic causes a volumetric accumulation in the environment which increases time by time. These polymers can be fragmented in the environment as a consequence of prolonged exposure to UV light and physical abrasion. This is particularly evident on shorelines where photo-degradation and abrasion through wave action increase their fragmentation. The range of plastic debris sizes can broadly be divided into mega (> 100 mm diameter), macro (> 20 mm), meso (5–20 mm), and micro (< 5mm) debris. [1]

Plastic accumulation in one of the five giant garbage patches in Ocean. Source: Phys.org.

The variations of pelagic micro-plastic abundance in the Pacific Ocean from 1957 to 2066 were recently shown. This study was based on a combination of numerical modeling supported on removal processes on a 3-year timescale and transoceanic surveys conducted from Antarctica to Japan. The results suggested that the weight concentrations of pelagic micro-plastics around the subtropical convergence zone would increase approximately twofold by 2030 and fourfold by 2060 from the present condition. [5] A major ocean plastic accumulation zone is formed in subtropical waters between California and Hawaii: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This is the largest of the five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the world’s oceans. [6] The mass of the plastic was estimated to be approximately 80 thousand tonnes. Having a more practical idea of the number, this value is similar to the weight of 500 Jumbo Jets. Due to seasonal and interannual variabilities of winds and currents, the location and shape are constantly changing. Only floating objects that are predominantly influenced by currents and less by winds were likely to remain within the patch. The vast majority of plastics retrieved were made of rigid or hard polyethylene or polypropylene, or derelict fishing gear. A recent model, calibrated with data from multi-vessel and aircraft surveys, predicted at least 79 thousand tonnes of ocean plastic are floating inside an area of 1.6 million km2. Over three-quarters of the mass was carried by debris larger than 5 cm and at least 46% was comprised of fishing nets. 1.8 trillion micro-plastics pieces are floating in the area. The ocean plastic pollution within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is increasing exponentially and at a faster rate than in surrounding waters. [7]

Crate found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, its production dates back to 1977. Source: The Ocean Cleanup.

In a recent “Green paper on a European strategy on plastic waste in the environment”, the European Commission addresses the issue as part of a wider review of its waste legislation. [8] This document focuses on potential mitigation strategies for plastic litter at the source and also expresses particular concern about their hazardous potential. [9]. Micro-plastics are ingested by hightrophic-level taxa, such as birds and marine mammals. A comprehensive assessment of the whole digestive tracts of 50 individuals from 10 species was recently investigated at the British coast. Micro-plastics were ubiquitous with particles detected in every animals examined. A relatively low number per animal (mean micro-plastics = 5.5) was observed. Stomachs contained a greater number than intestines indicating a potential site of temporary retention. 84% of particles were fibers while the remaining 16% was fragments. Nylon was the most prevalent polymer type. A possible relationship was found between the cause of death category and micro-plastic abundance, indicating that animals that died due to infectious diseases had a slightly higher number of particles than those that died of trauma and other causes of mortality [10]. The potential toxicity of the chemicals mix is not the only cause for concern, also microorganisms developing biofilms on such particles. Opportunistic pathogens like specific members of the genus Vibrio were found to dominate plastic particles. Therefore, micro-plastics can act as a vector for pathogens influencing the hygienic water quality. This interaction is still poorly understood and needs to be further investigated. [9]

Others interesting samplings were recently done through surface trawls in oceanic surface waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Hard and flexible fragments, spheres and lines were found. Mean debris concentration was estimated at 1,794 items ∙ km−2. No statistical difference was found between the amount of meso-plastics (46%) and micro-plastics (54%). Their composition had mostly of polyurethane, polyamide, and polyethylene. Sources of plastics in Antarctica can be diverse, including direct sources via disposal or inadequate management of waste produced by ships and research stations. Indirect sources such as transport by marine currents are carrying plastics from distant areas located at lower latitudes. Paint fragments were present at all sampling stations and were approximately 30 times more abundant than plastics. [11]

Population size and the quality of waste management system largely determine which countries contribute the greatest mass of uncaptured waste available to become plastic marine debris. China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka are the countries with highest % of total mismanaged plastic waste calculated in a study by 2015. [2] Especially in marine basins, plastic fragments are widespread and potentially source of negative effects also on terrestrial food chain. Data from freshwater ecosystems are scarce, only few investigations providing evidence for the presence of micro-plastics in rivers and lakes are reported. [11, 12]

Schools and voluntary organizations (e.g. The Ocean Cleanup, Seabin Project, 4Ocean) have made annual coastal and ocean surface collections of stranded plastics. This is an important educational issue for future generations.

References:

  1. K. A. Barnes et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B, 2009, 364, 1985–1998.
  2. R. Jambeck et al., Science 2015, 347, 768–771.
  3. M. Hu et al, Vertebr. Palasiat. 2007, 45, 173–194.
  4. Martin et al., Palaeobiodivers. Palaeoenviron., 2010, 90, 295–319.
  5. Isobe et al., NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 2019, 10:417.
  6. https://www.theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
  7. Lebreton et al., SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 2018, 8:4666.
  8. European Commission, Green Paper on a European Strategy on Plastic Waste in the Environment, 2013.
  9. Wagner et al., Environmental Sciences Europe, 2014, 26:12.
  10. E . Nelms et al., SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 2019, 9:1075.
  11. L. d. F. Lacerda et al., SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 2019, 9:3977.
  12. J. Hoellein et al., SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 2019, 9:3740.

*Frantisek Czanner, https://www.facebook.com/EcoProjectAngryEarth/

Compatibility of children and work in academia in Germany

To gain a very personal insight into the situation of full-time workers with and without children, an interview was conducted regarding the private living conditions, as well as the compatibility of juggling childcare AND an academic career in Germany. In this interview, the readers will receive insights on the personal motivation(s) and key factors of the interviewee’s decisions on having children. 

Participant A decided to have children

Participant B decided to not have children

Please, would you introduce yourself in three sentences?

I am a principal investigator at TU Dresden (Germany) at the chair of Molecular Biotechnology. After a two year Post-Doc at Stockholm, where my now 2.5-year-old son was born, I´m setting up a junior research group at TU Dresden.

I am a professor at a university in Germany, have no kids and my wife lives about 600 km away in a different German city. I travel back and forth every week by plane. My wife has a job that cannot be transferred to the city where I’m a professor as she works for the government.

Are you working full time or part time?

Full time.

Full time as my wife does.

What sector are you working in and for how long?

I am working in the field of biochemistry and biocatalysis since the beginning of my Ph.D., eight years ago.

Since about 18 years I’m working in science and education.

As an employee do you
consider your working schedule is suitable for “family planning”?

Working at the University, the flexible working hours are certainly a plus for family planning. It is easier to attend, for instance, a medical appointment of the child during working hours and catch up with the work on the weekend. Unfortunately, childcare is less flexible. It is rather difficult to find childcare open on weekends. More problematic for family planning as such is the long-term uncertainty of the academic positions.

NO! Both my wife and I are working significantly more compared to regular working hours. Otherwise, we would not have the job that we got/have.

Do you think government/institutional actions to promote the compatibility of children and work are sufficient? If not, what would you like to be changed?

In my current position, I find it important and positive that most relevant institutions with funding programs for junior scientists allow extending deadlines (time after Ph.D.) for periods of childcare. I can also not complain about governmental financial support. Helpful would be a more flexible childcare system with longer opening hours and fewer closing days.

Well, the reason for living apart IS the government in our case. I’d say that the government is the worst employee with respect to dual careers and the compatibility of work and family. Before complaining about other institutions, I’d rather recommend leading the way as a good example.

What can society (or companies) do to make children and career more attractive?

Spending significant time on childcare can lead to gaps in both, the CV and the publication record. I believe if these gaps are not only graciously excused but rewarded as an important service to society, it would be easier to decide for children. Considering children an asset for the CV and not a mere source of trouble and delay would greatly improve compatibility of children and career. In that respect, my recent employers were flawless but listening to colleagues in similar situations, this not always the case.

I think that companies already realized that flexibility, which they ask from their employees, is worth giving back to them to keep a good work/life balance, motivate their staff, and as far as I know they already took measures. At least several.

Please, name three keywords
you consider to be most important for the compatibility
of children and work?

  • Flexible working time
  • Good and flexible childcare
  • Acceptance in the scientific community and by employers
  • Home office
  • Making the same job available at different places
  • General flexibility

Please, name the three
strongest arguments NOT to have children
and instead give preference to your career?

Quicker advance in the career, more time and higher flexibility for work

Not enough time to take care of children, not possible in this working environment, a significant salary cut during child raising leave.

Pointing out crucial aspects of full-time working with and without children in academia, this article gave an insight into the life of researchers and their personal impression of the compatibility of children and work in Germany. Beneficial solutions to combine family and work have been named and key demands, such as flexible working times have already been implemented in academia. Moreover, flexibility has been realized to be essential for workers by most companies. However, it became evident that there are still circumstance defined by government and society, which could be improved to facilitate the compatibility of having children and working in academia in Germany.