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Think about what plastic actually is on a molecular level: it's the exact same atoms that make up all of life. (Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, rarely chlor
by ars 8y ago
Think about what plastic actually is on a molecular level: it's the exact same atoms that make up all of life. (Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, rarely chlorine.)
So if anything the plastic might be beneficial, assuming that it's able to decompose it and absorb only those atoms it actually needs as nutrients.
That's kind of what the person you are replying to is saying: if the plant is absorbing it, it's obviously been decomposed into its constituents and is actually beneficial to it.
It doesn't work the same as it does for an animal that eats in the standard way you use the word eat.
- glenneroo 8y agoThanks for the clarification. I get now what you both are saying and I welcome the uplifting alternative viewpoint. I was a bit confused (and at work) before but I was originally thinking of some species of dinoflagellates[0] who hunt/absorb/engulf prey (which I assumed to be larger than atoms), granted they are the exception. I could only find a study which noted higher concentrations of varying plankton/organisms (some dinofl.) near plastic[1] and partially related, on land some lifeforms were found to process PET bottles[2]. Life will hopefully find a way to process our trash before the ecosystem collapses ;) [0]: http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoGallery/dinos%20vs%20diatoms.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoGallery/dinos%20vs%20di... [1]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13004475 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1... [2]: https://phys.org/news/2016-03-newly-bacteria-plastic-bottles.html https://phys.org/news/2016-03-newly-bacteria-plastic-bottles...