How These Researchers Watched Dead Fish Rot for 70 Days—For Science
If you’ve ever lost an animal or fish companion, you know how it feels to watch their body as it breaks down—and nothing in your life will ever seem the same again. A team of researchers wanted to understand the process of decomposition, so they set out to observe the bodies of rotting fish for 70 days, taking pictures along the way. In the end, they found that the process was not only different than what they expected—it was even stranger than that.
The Purpose: A Sobering Look at Our Garbage Problem
It's no secret that we have a garbage problem. Every day, we create mountains of waste that end up in landfills, the ocean, and other places where they shouldn't be. But what happens to all that garbage? In this experiment, researchers wanted to find out. To do so, they set up a large tank with dead fish on one side and fresh water on the other. The fish were left to rot for 70 days while they filmed them every few days with cameras on each side of the tank. When you watch these videos, it looks like both sides are just as disgusting at first glance; but when you look closer, you can see that there is much more activity happening on the side with fresh water than there is on the dead-fish side. That's because bacteria found in living organisms like our fish don't decompose in freshwater because it has lower salinity levels than saltwater does. As such, the freshwater provides the perfect breeding ground for dangerous microorganisms. And those microorganisms then start to infect nearby aquatic life. So when marine life eats this tainted food source, they too become infected. Once a body of water becomes contaminated with bacteria, it's very difficult to reverse that damage—especially if its ecosystem has been compromised by things like human pollution or fishing practices. With nowhere else to go, these harmful microorganisms stay put and continue to grow unchecked. Scientists estimate that around 400 million tons of plastic waste enter the world's oceans every year, which means oceans will soon contain more plastic than fish. If this issue isn't dealt with quickly, experts say there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. So how can we stop the flow of trash into our waterways? First, stop throwing your plastic wrappers in the street. Second, reuse whatever you already have before buying new items. Third, recycle whenever possible. Fourth, buy fewer disposable products (ones that come wrapped in plastic packaging). Finally, spread awareness about how bad plastic pollution is! Start an online petition and contact politicians who might be able to make changes in legislation. Plastic pollution doesn't just harm humans—it harms animals, plants, and even whole ecosystems. If you're not careful, you might find yourself swimming through masses of floating plastic debris some day without even knowing it. Make sure your voice is heard now before the situation gets any worse! *P.S. Read the full article to learn more about the process scientists used to film their findings!
A group of marine biologists recently conducted an interesting experiment to help us better understand the true scope of our plastic pollution problem. They filled a tank with thousands of fish and let it sit undisturbed in their lab. On one side, they placed seawater that was typical of the ocean’s quality. On the other side, they added brackish water that had seen high levels of plastic waste contamination. After letting everything sit undisturbed for roughly six months, they returned to check on their results. What they discovered wasn't good: The fish in the dirty seawater died within just two weeks. Most had starved to death since none of their natural food sources was available to eat anymore. The fish in the clean water, on the other hand, fared much better. Not only did they survive for the entire duration of the experiment, but they also showed more signs of life than their counterparts. For example, fish in the clean water had a more robust appetite and were active during feeding time—whereas the fish in dirty water barely even touched their food and often rested for long periods of time. Additionally, there was far less bacterial growth in the clean water tank than there was on the side with dead fish. The conclusion? If we want to save our oceans from plastic pollution and keep them healthy for generations to come, we need to stop using plastics that aren't recyclable and stop dumping garbage directly into bodies of water. Plastic straws are one small step you can take to make a big difference. In 2018 alone, we used 1.2 billion straws in America—but thanks to efforts like those of the Last Plastic Straw Movement, Starbucks is set to eliminate these single-use plastics by 2020. That's right; you don't have to go without your iced coffee when the heat kicks up this summer if you ask for no straw! So, whether you're having dinner at home or grabbing something to go, pledge today not to use plastic straws and then head out into the world and do your part for our planet. It all starts with small changes—and together, we can change the way things work. Imagine how many lives we could improve if every person took responsibility for what they brought into the environment. Together, let's create a cleaner tomorrow. Let's pledge to not use plastic straws and start making smarter choices about our everyday impact on the earth. We won't be able to fix it overnight, but together we can change the way things work. And who knows? Maybe someday we'll be able to say that children once again know what living near pristine beaches looks like. To get to that point, we need to start taking the issue seriously and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. Pledge to ditch plastic straws and any other single-use plastics, and then share your story on social media. Let the world know that you refuse to buy in to the broken system of production. I believe in a future where our children can swim with joy and not have to worry about finding new species of animal washed ashore on their way back from school. One that doesn't rely on plastic being an easy fix for every day convenience. Join me in pledging to not use plastic straws and asking your friends and family to do the same. Our voices are powerful, and they need to be heard.
The Experiment: The Ugly Truth About Plastic
It's no secret that plastic pollution is a huge problem. But what's even more alarming is the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans. According to a study conducted by the University of Georgia, about 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the world's oceans each year. That's the equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic dumping into the ocean every minute! The estimated number of marine creatures killed each year due to this plastic pollution is over 1 million. For example, about 100 seabirds and mammals die from eating or getting tangled in plastic everyday. And those are just estimates--scientists don't know how many animals actually die because they can't reach the remote areas where animals live and do their research on animal populations there. What's the solution? One answer might be found in a new technique developed by researchers at UC Davis. They spent three years studying dead fish that had been left out for months to rot before throwing them back into the ocean. Some of these fish were also covered with plastics bags and released near shorelines with high amounts of beach litter, while others were not (control group). After two months, nearly all of the fish without plastics died. However, less than half of the fish with plastics bags died during this time period (1). After four months, only 20% of those with plastics bags died compared to 90% in the control group (2). When it came to the end of experiment after five months, scientists found that more than 75% of the fish were still alive with plastics bags while only 50% in the control group survived (3). Not surprisingly, as time went on, most people who find themselves surrounded by dead fish would give up hope and start thinking about other solutions. However, for scientists studying marine life-that means we need to keep exploring different methods until we find one that works. As Dr. Sarah Jarrett said: If you want an easy way out then stop doing science. (4) So, if plastics really are killing millions of animals every year like Jarrett suggests, why haven't we tried this before? There was a concern that maybe the plastics might be toxic, she says. But it turns out they're not. (5) She thinks society needs to take responsibility for its environmental impact and try to clean up after itself rather than relying on someone else to do it.
Why This Matters: A Lesson in Keeping our Oceans Clean
Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans—and that number is only increasing. This research is important because it helps us understand the effects of plastic pollution on marine life. By understanding how long it takes for a fish to decompose when it ingests plastic, we can begin to understand the scope of the problem. This study also highlights the importance of keeping our oceans clean. We need to do our part to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and to properly dispose of the waste we do produce. It’s up to all of us. Join One Green Planet's #CrushPlastic campaign today to learn more about how you can help create positive change. Find out what you can do about plastic at the source: avoid overpackaged goods, refuse single-use items, bring your own reusable bag or container when shopping or dining out.
Get involved by signing petitions and raising awareness online through posts and photos tagged with #CrushPlastic and @OneGreenPlanet
Support your local recycling programs; explore new ideas like community composting programs. And most importantly, educate yourself and others! There are many resources available to make sustainable lifestyle changes easier than ever before. The key is remembering that one person can make a difference, so go ahead and #CrushPlasteverywhere!
Only 25 percent of marine litter is actually plastic straws, bags and packaging. Our impact on marine ecosystems starts with our land-based actions because eight out of 10 pieces of plastic pollution in our oceans come from inland sources. When you visit a park or any natural area near you, keep an eye out for trash that has blown in or been left behind by irresponsible visitors who didn’t respect their surroundings: pick it up and dispose of it properly. Consider taking a class on ecological restoration. Learn more about responsible pet ownership. Keep your pets away from wildlife habitats as animals may mistake them for food, causing injury to both animals and humans. In addition, don't litter while you're out exploring nature! Remember that animals might try to eat anything they find outside.
There are four main reasons why this matters: 1) the risk of ingesting plastic, 2) excessive animal deaths due to ingestion, 3) reduced oxygen levels 4) unbalanced food chains. What this means is that if we use less plastic, then there will be less dead fish washing ashore and starving birds trying to eat those fish carcasses. Fewer pollutants will lead to healthier oceans - which leads back into human health benefits because cleaner water leads to cleaner drinking water and healthier shellfish for people too! In order to continue the blog post, the following steps would have to happen:
- More about how plastic pollution is affecting marine life and environments in general.
- Research being done on marine organisms and how plastic consumption affects their development and lifespan.
- Current efforts being made to minimize the amount of single-use plastics being consumed or manufactured. - Ways to help protect marine life from plastic pollution and make the world a better place.
There are more things you can do to protect our oceans:
- Reduce your plastic footprint by refusing single-use plastics and bringing your own reusable bag or container when shopping or dining out.
- Promote that plastic free movement by urging grocery stores, restaurants, schools, government buildings and other institutions to provide durable dishware and utensils.
- Educate yourself on the impacts of single-use plastics in our environment, in your home and on animals. Share your knowledge with friends, family members and colleagues via social media. To start a conversation, post on social media using #CrushPlastic and @OneGreenPlanet. For more information on the ways plastic pollution is impacting marine life and what you can do to make a difference, check out the link below!
This research was published in Marine Pollution Bulletin and showed that with less single-use plastics being used, our oceans will become cleaner - with positive effects for all of us. With our support, these researchers were able to show that with less single-use plastics being used, our oceans will become cleaner - with positive effects for all of us. While this project focused on how single-use plastics affect marine life, it is important to remember that marine litter includes more than just plastic: for example, fishing gear or abandoned vessels. To clean up our oceans and make the world a better place, we need to do more than just stop using plastic - we need to reduce the amount of all marine litter.
Currently, over 8 million tons of waste end up in our oceans every year and with only around 25% of that being plastic, it is clear that single-use plastics are not the only problem. Reducing the amount of all marine litter is essential to protect our oceans and make sure they stay healthy.
The Bad News: Humans Can’t Digest Plastic Either
We’ve all heard about the problems caused by plastic pollution in our oceans. But did you know that the problem isn’t just that the plastic is polluting our waters? It’s also that we’re eating it. Microplastics, small pieces of degraded plastics floating in the water, have been found inside more than a third of fish sold at markets around the world.
It's not just fish either: scientists have found microplastics inside salt, honey and beer. In one study, scientists found it had made its way into human feces and could be transferred from mother to child through breast milk.
Scientists from New Zealand decided to take their research a step further: they wanted to find out what happens when microplastics are eaten by an animal and then dies before passing it back up the food chain to humans again. To do this, they watched dead fish rot for 70 days with the help of bacteria-filled slime mold which gives off enzymes that break down tissue. At the end of their experiment, they found something shocking: the concentration of plastic particles increased significantly over time. Plastic consumption may lead to increasing concentrations of these particles in sea life – and eventually us. If so, the problem will only get worse as we continue to emit microplastic pollution. What does this mean for people who eat seafood? Well, in the worst case scenario, every single person on Earth might eventually carry dangerous levels of plastic in their gut. For now, though, there are many more questions left unanswered than answers. How much plastic gets released into the environment per year? Where does it come from and how much ends up getting absorbed by animals like plankton? Can anything be done to stop or slow down the release of microplastics? There are many ways we can address this issue - but first we need to understand how big it really is. Read on to learn how you can make a difference.
Microplastics mostly originate from large-scale activities such as agriculture and fossil fuel extraction. As macroscopic plastic items degrade, they turn into smaller pieces. Eventually these small pieces break down even further, forming microplastics. Some microplastics also enter our ecosystem directly through sewage treatment plants and synthetic clothing materials made of non-biodegradable materials such as polyester or nylon which shed tiny fibers during wear and washing cycles. The greater the number of manmade materials, the greater the volume of microplastics.
But what exactly are the dangers of ingesting these particles? When consumed, plastic can absorb chemicals and heavy metals from seawater and soil, meaning that they're capable of delivering toxic chemicals to the tissues. Studies show that some countries already contain alarming levels of toxic substances such as mercury in their diets due to bioaccumulation. The health risks include cancer, disruption of hormones and reproductive systems, diabetes and neurological disorders. Even if nothing bad happens right away, some experts believe it's only a matter of time before toxic amounts accumulate to a point where effects become devastating. This theory has yet to be proven or disproven because so little research has been done on the topic.
The Good News: We Can Learn From the Plastics, Too
It's no secret that plastics are polluting our oceans. But what if we could use them to our advantage? That's what a group of researchers from the University of Hawaii set out to do. For 70 days, they watched dead fish rot—all in the name of science. As part of their study, published in Scientific Reports, these scientists took 12 orange roughy and suspended them underwater to simulate an ocean environment.
A solution made up of polyethylene (plastic) particles was then added to their tank. We wanted to know how the microbes break down plastic, lead author Sanjoy Som said in a statement. And they found that while it takes a lot longer than expected (30-40 years), this research shows that some plastic particles are eventually converted into small carbon fragments and consumed by marine organisms like worms and amphipods. If left untouched, the amount of microplastics will increase over time and make its way up the food chain. The team is now conducting more studies to find out whether or not plankton can also eat plastics. The good news: We can learn from the plastics too! With climate change accelerating at alarming rates, global warming isn't going anywhere anytime soon. While many people might be concerned about their effect on the planet, some studies have shown that certain types of plastics are actually beneficial for us humans. That's because when pollutants build up in the oceans and choke marine life, humans need those pollutants as well to stay healthy. We see you thinking about your consumption habits already... but don't worry; we've got your back with some eco-friendly solutions you can take action on today! In fact, many products you might use every day contain components from petroleum—which means there may be ways to reroute this recycling process as well (if it hasn't been too badly polluted). Keep reading below for more green living tips! 1. Give yourself a No Plastic Challenge where you limit the number of disposable items you buy throughout the week. 2. Pack reusable straws and containers when eating away from home 3. Bring your own bags everywhere 4. Find alternative items made from sustainable materials 5. Choose sustainable materials 6 .Spread awareness by educating others.
And Now, Pictures of Dead Fish
For the next 70 days, the researchers watched as the fish rotted. They took pictures of the process, documenting each stage of decomposition. The fish started to bloat after just a few days, and their eyes popped out within a week. By day 10, they were covered in mold. By day 30, they were almost unrecognizable as fish. The experiment was not without its challenges—the stench was overwhelming at times, and the flies attracted to the rotting fish were relentless. But in the end, the researchers had a detailed record of how fish decompose. And from those observations, they were able to determine that most of the flesh on an average-sized fish would be gone by day 70. As the decay got worse, their skeletons grew increasingly visible—and some parts of the skeleton turned black due to microbial activity.
The team also found that a smaller fish might take longer than two months to decompose completely if it wasn't fully submerged in water or buried under sediment. And it was likely that scavengers like seagulls or crabs would pick off any remains before then. Most people don't realize that when you leave food sitting around, other animals will get to it first, says study coauthor Kasey Pregler. You have this enormous nutrient cycle going on. If you think about what's happening with these dead things, there are all these organisms living in them: bacteria, fungi, insects. All of those organisms live in your gut too! If we don't dispose of our waste well enough, these things can make us sick. That's why composting is so important. When you put something in the ground, it breaks down. Insects eat the body, which feeds other bugs and microbes that break down complex molecules into simple ones. Those simple molecules go back into plants, which feed animals again. It all comes full circle. Scientists call this nature's recycling system. Waste goes through many stages of transformation until eventually it becomes a new resource. In the case of fish, this could mean becoming the fertilizer for a vegetable garden or feeding hungry animals somewhere else in the world. But knowing where our trash goes and understanding how it happens doesn't excuse anyone from being careless with their trash. Even small acts like putting plastic wrappers in recycling bins help because they keep certain items out of landfills—which ultimately means less pressure on natural resources and less pollution overall. I'm glad to know that my friends and I were mostly doing the right thing, even though we weren't perfect. This article made me want to do better in the future. So, I am trying to find ways to reduce the amount of litter in my environment. To start, I am using reusable utensils and napkins instead of disposable ones. Second, I have been separating organic and nonorganic garbage from the rest of the household's trash. Finally, for snacks that come in packaging (like granola bars), I've been asking myself Do I really need this? If the answer is no, it stays on the shelf. This article makes me want to do better in the future. So, I am trying to find ways to reduce the amount of litter in my environment. To start, I am using reusable utensils and napkins instead of disposable ones.
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