A researcher examining a sediment sample collected from the sea to examine microplastics and better understand its impact on marine life. AFP
A researcher examining a sediment sample collected from the sea to examine microplastics and better understand its impact on marine life. AFP
A researcher examining a sediment sample collected from the sea to examine microplastics and better understand its impact on marine life. AFP
A researcher examining a sediment sample collected from the sea to examine microplastics and better understand its impact on marine life. AFP

Environment

How do we stop the microplastic invasion and how harmful are they?

Tiny particles have been found in fresh snow and most recently in breast milk

Daniel Bardsley
Daniel Bardsley

February 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Microplastics have been detected in everything from human breast milk to water.

Researchers last year found microplastics — usually defined as pieces less than 5mm in size — were present in three-quarters of breast milk samples taken from 34 women who had given birth in Rome.

Just a few months earlier, in July, researchers in the Netherlands detected microplastics in a range of meat and milk products. Scientists have also found them in beverages and seafood.

And in Dubai, microplastics were in the news this week when dozens of bags containing millions of tiny beads washed up on the city's Sunset Beach.

An impressive community effort helped municipal workers to scoop up the bulk of the spillage from the pristine sand.

Here, we look at the microplastic invasion - and ask what can be done to tackle it.

The microplastic food chain

Many microplastics end up, or are formed, in the sea, allowing them to spread around the globe and absorb toxins.

Some of these toxins may have been released into the environment decades ago.

Marine microplastics may enter the food chain by being eaten by progressively larger organisms until, eventually, they can be consumed by people eating seafood. Fish, scallops, mussels and oysters have been all found, in some instances, to be contaminated.

How microplastics are produced and make their way into our food. Roy Cooper / The National
How microplastics are produced and make their way into our food. Roy Cooper / The National

“They can be formed by accident or they’re deliberately produced,” says Dan Eatherley, a British environmental consultant who has worked on ways to reduce plastic waste with Google, Greenpeace and the UK government.

So-called primary microplastics are those that are deliberately produced, such as the microbeads in some cosmetics, while secondary microplastics are formed when waste plastics break down in the environment, often, Mr Eatherley says, due to the action of waves and rocks in the sea.

“There’s a lot of plastic that gets into the ocean from nets and other plastic gear fishers use, and then there’s plastic packaging that doesn’t get properly recycled and is instead washed into rivers and out to sea,” he says.

Mr Eatherley suggests that individuals can try to reduce their use of single-use plastics, such as by using refillable drinks containers and avoiding plastic cutlery.

Takeaway cutlery can last for centuries

Plastic cutlery, often provided with takeaway food, can impact the planet for centuries. Getty
Plastic cutlery, often provided with takeaway food, can impact the planet for centuries. Getty

The UK’s Natural History Museum says plastic cutlery is used for an average of just three minutes, but can remain in the environment for hundreds of years.

Because plastic is “built into the entire economy of modern society”, Mr Eatherley says, avoiding its use altogether is not easy.

“We instead need to shift to a more circular economy, where all of the plastic we use gets captured and recycled,” he says.

“At the moment, though, this is difficult because so many different types of plastic are used, making it hard to separate them.”

A green sea turtle that lost a flipper when it became caught in marine debris, at the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve in Kalba, on the UAE's east coast. All photos: AP Photo
A green sea turtle that lost a flipper when it became caught in marine debris, at the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve in Kalba, on the UAE's east coast. All photos: AP Photo
Three quarters of green turtles and more than half of loggerhead turtles found dead in Sharjah had eaten marine debris, including plastic bags, bottle caps, rope and fishing nets, says a study published in the 'Marine Pollution Bulletin'.
Three quarters of green turtles and more than half of loggerhead turtles found dead in Sharjah had eaten marine debris, including plastic bags, bottle caps, rope and fishing nets, says a study published in the 'Marine Pollution Bulletin'.
Plastic discovered in an autopsy on a dead turtle. The study documents the damage caused by a surge in discarded plastic and other debris in the world's seas.
Plastic discovered in an autopsy on a dead turtle. The study documents the damage caused by a surge in discarded plastic and other debris in the world's seas.
No plastic was found in the bodies of turtles in the only previous Gulf of Oman study, in 1985. 'When the majority of sea turtles have plastics in their bodies, you know you have a significant problem,' said Fadi Yaghmour, a marine expert who carried out the study.
No plastic was found in the bodies of turtles in the only previous Gulf of Oman study, in 1985. 'When the majority of sea turtles have plastics in their bodies, you know you have a significant problem,' said Fadi Yaghmour, a marine expert who carried out the study.
Debris found inside dead turtles in Sharjah. One turtle had 325 shards, another 32 pieces of fishing net. They can cause blockages that prevent the animals from eating.
Debris found inside dead turtles in Sharjah. One turtle had 325 shards, another 32 pieces of fishing net. They can cause blockages that prevent the animals from eating.
The study found that green sea turtles were inclined to eat drifting plastic bags and ropes, which resemble their diet of cuttlefish and jellyfish. Loggerheads ate bottle caps and other small pieces of hard plastic mistaken for marine invertebrates. The youngest turtles ate the most plastic.
The study found that green sea turtles were inclined to eat drifting plastic bags and ropes, which resemble their diet of cuttlefish and jellyfish. Loggerheads ate bottle caps and other small pieces of hard plastic mistaken for marine invertebrates. The youngest turtles ate the most plastic.
Conservationists in the UAE are seeking to protect the country’s turtles from the threats. Community officers respond to reports of turtles in distress and rescue the reptiles for rehabilitation. 'If we lose these turtles, the ecosystem will die,' said Abdulkarim Vettan operational manager at Al Qurum Mangrove Centre in Kalba.
Conservationists in the UAE are seeking to protect the country’s turtles from the threats. Community officers respond to reports of turtles in distress and rescue the reptiles for rehabilitation. 'If we lose these turtles, the ecosystem will die,' said Abdulkarim Vettan operational manager at Al Qurum Mangrove Centre in Kalba.

Laboratory studies indicate that microplastics can be harmful to human cells, but studies conclusively showing negative impacts on human health are lacking.

Many UAE residents may wonder whether the bottled water they consume has an impact on their health.

A 2018 study by researchers in Brazil, Portugal and the US, who looked at bottled water from nine countries, found that 93 per cent of samples contained microplastics, mostly plastic fragments, with fibres the next most prevalent category.

Two years later the publisher Consumer Reports tested 47 bottled waters and found Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs), known as “forever chemicals” because they linger in the environment, in “many products”.

These chemicals, the source of which was unclear, have been associated with developmental changes, cancer and harm to the immune system, among other effects.

In the majority of still water samples, PFAS levels were below one part per trillion, while a slight majority of carbonated waters were above this threshold. In nearly all samples, heavy metal quantities were within safety limits.

What are the main sources of microplastics?

A single load of washing can release as many as 700,000 individual microplastic fibres. Getty
A single load of washing can release as many as 700,000 individual microplastic fibres. Getty

Clothing

Washing clothes adds huge numbers of microplastic particles to the environment. Figures published by the Natural History Museum say a single load of washing can release as many as 700,000 individual fibres. Narrower than a human hair, these tend not to be removed by filtration systems, so find their way into waterways and, ultimately, the sea. The Marine Conservation Society says domestic and industrial washing cycles may generate 35 per cent of primary microplastics. Laundry bags are available to help reduce microplastic pollution from washing machines.

Car tyres

These are one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution because, as any driver knows, they wear out. As little as one fifth of tyre content is natural rubber with much of the rest being human-made substances, including plastics. Friends of the Earth, the environmental organisation, says half a million tonnes of plastic fragments are released from tyres each year on Europe’s roads. A large proportion of these fragments end up in rivers and oceans after being washed into drains by rainwater.

Toiletries and cosmetics

Numerous products contain intentionally added microplastics or microbeads, which may be eaten by fish or birds that mistake them for food. Colgate, the toothpaste company, says microbeads are added for various purposes, including to improve shelf life, add bulk, allow the timed release of active ingredients and as abrasives or exfoliants. Some countries have restricted the use of microbeads, such as the US with its 2015 Microbead-Free Waters Act, which “prohibits the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads”.

Packaging

Because plastic does not biodegrade, plastic items such as food packaging, drinks bottles and the like are physically broken down into smaller pieces, which ultimately become microplastics. More than eight billion tonnes of plastic has been produced over time, less than 10 per cent of which has been recycled. About 12 per cent is incinerated, the UK’s University of Nottingham says, leaving the rest in landfill sites or the environment.

Dust

A significant proportion of dust in the air consists of microplastics, some of which may contain toxic materials such as pesticides and heavy metals, and may be breathed in. Carpets and paint are sources of this microplastic dust, although categories above, such as tyres and, in particular, clothing, are also key culprits. Echoing the global movement of plastic in the oceans, this dust can travel long distances when it is lifted high into the atmosphere and transported by air currents.

A version of this article was first published in October 2022.

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Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)

November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)

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December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)

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Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan

The top two teams qualify for the World Cup

Classification matches 
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Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off

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"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House

Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

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Updated: February 21, 2023, 8:06 AM`
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