Cyprus Resorts Face Trash Catastrophe 0 85

The marine caves of the Mediterranean Sea, which once served as a refuge for endangered species, now conceal a growing crisis.

It turns out that the caves are far from untouched and are overtaken by an invisible threat - plastic pollution, writes IDR. What was once a sanctuary for marine animals has now turned into a dump.

It is noted that while plastic pollution in the seas is not new, researchers have uncovered a troubling new chapter in this ongoing ecological crisis.

In particular, a new study revealed a shocking accumulation of plastic and other debris in the isolated marine caves of Cyprus. Researchers found trash in every cave surveyed, with some showing astonishingly high concentrations of waste - up to 97 items per square meter, significantly exceeding levels typically observed on beaches or the seabed.

The study is the first comprehensive survey of marine debris within coastal marine caves of the Mediterranean and raises serious concerns about the growing threat to marine life. The results show that marine caves act as "natural traps" for waste drifting in the water.

This captured debris, especially plastic waste, poses a serious danger both to the local ecosystem and to endangered species that use these caves as a refuge. Researchers explained that marine caves are enclosed spaces, so trash accumulates there without the possibility of escaping.

As a result, it was found that caves with larger internal beach areas and moderate wave action accumulate more debris, creating a hidden reservoir of plastic. Over 24,000 pieces of trash weighing 176 kg were found in 23 caves, clearly indicating that these natural enclosed spaces are becoming increasingly polluted.

The most noticeable was the bulk of polystyrene waste and plastic fragments. The discovery of this plastic waste is concerning not only due to its quantity but also because of its persistence - plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, turning into microplastics that are difficult to clean up and even harder to remove from the environment.

Perhaps the most alarming finding of the study was the presence of a new form of pollution known as "plastitar." This sticky black substance forms when floating resin remnants mix with microplastics and macroplastics, creating a resin-like crust that coats the walls and floors of the caves. This "plastitar" is a dangerous new pollutant that has only recently begun to appear in the marine environment, and its presence in marine caves further exacerbates ecological risks.