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Until approximately fifty years ago, most pollution was not seen in our oceans, since it was comprised mainly of metal and
glass, which sink; and paper and cloth, which decay. Today, pollution is more visible because many of the manufactured objects
are made of plastics, which are light-weight, strong, and very durable. Not only do plastics as they are commonly produced
degrade slowly, but some animals see plastics as food and ingest them, or they become entangled in them. In either case, the
result is usually death.
The following are the lengths of time it takes several forms of litter to biodegrade:
Tin cans - 50 years Wool - 1 year
Painted wood - 13 years Plastic six pack rings - 400 + years
Newspaper - 6 weeks Plastic bottles - 450 years
Paper towels - 2 to 4 weeks Aluminum cans - 200 years
Disposable diapers - 450 years Cotton - 1 to 5 months
Polystyrene foam - indefinite Monofilament line - 600 years
Cardboard - 2 months
Wetlands are an integral part of the ecosystem. Estuaries serve as an important habitat for many organisms including fish,
shellfish, various reptiles, and birds. Marine and aquatic habitats serve as nursery areas, a source of food, and shelter
from predators. Plants can filter impurities; hold substrate and the shoreline, in place; absorb the force of storms; and
release flood waters from the land. Wetlands are also directly affected by runoff filled with chemicals and trash.
| 3rd world poor buried in Pepsi bottles! |
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| We export our wastes! They litter for hundreds of years! |
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