Glitter litter could be damaging rivers
Research finds biodegradable alternatives are no better for the
environment

Date:
October 14, 2020
Source:
Anglia Ruskin University
Summary:
New research indicates that glitter could be causing ecological
damage to our rivers and lakes.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research indicates that glitter could be causing ecological damage
to our rivers and lakes.


==========================================================================
The study, led by Dr Dannielle Green of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
and published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, is the first to
examine the impact of glitter on freshwater habitats.

The research found that after 36 days, the presence of glitter halved the
root length of common duckweed (Lemna minor), while levels of chlorophyll
in the water were three times lower than in control conditions, indicating reduced levels of phytoplankton, or microalgae.

Glitter is used in a variety of decorative ways, including on clothing,
in arts and crafts, and in cosmetics and body paint. Traditional glitter
is a form of microplastic consisting of a plastic core made of polyester
PET film, which is coated with aluminium and then covered with another
thin plastic layer.

Along with other forms of single use microplastics, such as microbeads,
there have been efforts to phase out PET glitter with the introduction
of more biodegradable alternatives.

One version has a core of modified regenerated cellulose (MRC), sourced
mainly from eucalyptus trees, but this is still coated with aluminium
for reflectivity and then topped with a thin plastic layer. Another form
is mica glitter, which is increasingly used in cosmetics.

However, this new study found that the effects of MRC and mica glitters
on root length and chlorophyll levels were almost identical to those of traditional glitter.

The only significant difference was a two-fold increase in the abundance
of New Zealand mud snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in water containing
the biodegradable MRC glitter. These snails, commonly found in polluted
waters, are an invasive species in the UK and an increase in numbers
has the potential to disrupt ecosystems, as they can outcompete native
species.

Dr Dannielle Green, Senior Lecturer in Biology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: "Many of the microplastics found in our rivers and oceans
have taken years to form, as larger pieces of plastic are broken down
over time, However, glitter is a ready-made microplastic that is commonly
found in our homes and, particularly through cosmetics, is washed off
in our sinks and into the water system.

"Our study is the first to look at the effects of glitter in a freshwater environment and we found that both conventional and alternative glitters
can have a serious ecological impact on aquatic ecosystems within a
short period of time.

"All types, including so-called biodegradable glitter, have a negative
effect on important primary producers which are the base of the food
web, while glitter with a biodegradable cellulose core has an additional
impact of encouraging the growth of an invasive species.

"We believe these effects could be caused by leachate from the glitters, possibly from their plastic coating or other materials involved in
their production, and our future research will investigate this in
greater detail."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Anglia_Ruskin_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Dannielle Senga Green, Megan Jefferson, Bas Boots, Leon Stone. All
that
glitters is litter? Ecological impacts of conventional versus
biodegradable glitter in a freshwater habitat. Journal of Hazardous
Materials, 2021; 402: 124070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124070 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014201020.htm

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