The only cigarette I've ever touched is the
chocolate candy type, but from the looks and what I've heard I figured real
cigarettes are tobacco leaves wrapped in paper held together by tar, glue, or
human spit...something like that. Totally biodegradable, right?
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| Image Source: Clean Virginia Waterways |
Based on the incorrect biodegradability notion and
the fact that I'm a bit of a germaphobe, I did not pick up any cigarette butts
while combing Florida's beaches for plastic debris during the fall 2012
semester. However, to my dismay, it turns out that the majority - 95% according
to Clean Virginia Waterways - of cigarette filters are made of plastic fibers
known as acetate cellulose.
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| Image Source: Beachapedia |
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| Image Source: Beachapedia |
I know that planet Earth, especially its beaches, may
look like a readily available ashtray, but rain and wind can blow cigarette
butts into storm drains and rivers or directly from the beach into the ocean.
In hindsight, I'm a little ashamed of not picking up any cigarette butts during
my beach sampling, but will make an effort to do so in the future.
I'm so excited to see that you are continuing your undergraduate research studying ocean plastics. If you are going to pick up these butts, please come by the lab and get some gloves.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Something I would find interesting, if someone in the next OCE1001 lab needs help finding a project, is filling two small aquariums with water and aquatic plant life and fill one of the aquariums with cigarettes or old cigarette butts, then test the water quality over time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea and such a great opportunity for a new UR to be mentored by a now...CUR! I will certainly share this idea with the new class. Thanks, Angela!!
ReplyDeleteI am still looking for a topic, but since I am a huge advocate for no smoking, I would love to see all the affects of cigarettes have on everything it comes in contact with. They have already found that there is third hand smoke, so to see what happens from the debris intrigues me. I will be in contact with you Professor Woodall.
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