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Tag: crabs

Eco-Friendly Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap

Posted on by dishanth
Eco-Friendly Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap

Recently, there has been a growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. One promising option is a new type of crab shell bioplastic wrap made from waste grab shells and wood pulp. This new film is flexible, transparent, and can be used to wrap food like plastic wrap. It is also biodegradable and compostable, making it a more sustainable option for food packaging.

Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap

The new crab shell bioplastic wrap is made by spraying alternating layers of chitin and cellulose fibres sourced from discarded crab shells and wood pulp, respectively, onto a polylactic acid (PLA) base. Chitin is a natural polymer that is found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans. Cellulose is a natural polymer that is found in the cell walls of plants. PLA is a bio-based plastic that is made from renewable resources, such as corn starch.

The new plastic wrap has a number of advantages over traditional plastic wrap. It is made from renewable resources, is biodegradable and compostable, and does not release harmful toxins into the environment. It is also transparent, flexible, and odourless.

The main material that the new plastic wrap is compared to is PET or polyethylene terephthalate. It is one of the most common petroleum-based materials used in transparent packaging, such as vending machines and soft drink bottles. The material showed up to a 67 percent reduction in oxygen permeability compared to some forms of PET. This means that the new plastic wrap could, in theory, keep foods fresher for longer.

In addition to plastic film, PET plastic is used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Bottles: PET is the most common material used for beverage bottles, such as water, soda, and juice. It is also used for some food packaging, such as salad dressing and oil bottles.
  • Fibres: PET is used to make a variety of fibres, including polyester, which is used in clothing, carpets, and other textiles.
  • Films: PET makes various films, including food packaging, insulation, and tapes.
  • Other applications: PET is also used in various other applications, such as electronics, automotive parts, and construction materials.

The new plastic wrap is still in its early stages of development, but it can potentially be a major breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to become more widely available and replace traditional plastic wrap in a number of applications.

 

Benefits of Using Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap:

There are a number of benefits to using crab shell bioplastic wrap. These benefits include:

  • It is made from renewable resources: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is made from renewable resources, such as crab shells and wood pulp. This means that it does not contribute to the depletion of fossil fuels.
  • It is biodegradable and compostable: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is biodegradable and compostable. This means it will not harm the environment when disposed of.
  • It does not release harmful toxins into the environment: Eco-friendly plastic wrap does not release harmful toxins into the environment as it decomposes. This means that it is safe for people and animals.

 

Challenges of Using Crab Shell BioPlastic Wrap:

There are a few challenges to using crab shell bioplastic wrap. These include:

  • It is still in its early stages of development: Eco-friendly plastic wrap is still in its early stages of development. This means that it is not yet as widely available as traditional plastic wrap.
  • It can be more expensive than traditional plastic wrap: Eco-friendly plastic wrap can be more expensive than traditional plastic wrap. This is because it is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable.

Overall, eco-friendly plastic wrap is a promising alternative to traditional plastic wrap. It is made from renewable resources, is biodegradable and compostable, and does not release harmful toxins into the environment. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to become more widely available and to replace traditional plastic wrap in a number of applications.

 

 

 

 

Source  Happy Eco News

Carbon emissions are raising the acidity of the Pacific Ocean, leaving Dungeness crabs defenseless

Posted on by dishanth
Carbon emissions are raising the acidity of the Pacific Ocean, leaving Dungeness crabs defenseless
  • Scientists found the shells of young Dungeness crabs along the US West Coast were dissolving due to a lower pH level as the Pacific Ocean acidifies.
  • Ocean acidity was not expected to damage the crabs so quickly.

As the Pacific Ocean becomes more acidic, Dungeness crabs, which live in coastal areas, are seeing their shells eaten away, according to a new study commissioned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

 

Image: Science Direct

 

The study authors looked at ocean acidification levels from 2016. They found that the lowered pH is dissolving the shells of young Dungeness crabs in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Without strong shells, the young crabs suffer damage to their sensory organs, as CNN reported.

The findings contribute to growing concerns about the viability of the Dungeness crab as atmospheric carbon dioxide, which continues to rise, is absorbed by the Pacific Ocean and increases acidification, as The Seattle Times reported.

Ocean acidity was not expected to damage Dungeness crabs so quickly. Researchers say it is a warning for the future of seafood and the health of marine life.

“If the crabs are affected already, we really need to make sure we pay much more attention to various components of the food chain before it is too late,” said study lead author Nina Bednarsek, a senior scientist with the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, as CNN reported.

The study was published last week in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Dungeness crabs are vital to the West Coast fishing industry — netting around $200 million annually. They are also important to tribal and recreational crabbers. The crabs have thrived in coastal waters that have recently become hotspots for ocean acidification, according to The Seattle Times.

Ocean acidification happens when the pH of ocean water drops. The primary cause is an increase in absorption of atmospheric CO2 over a long period. When CO2 is absorbed by seawater, a chain of chemical reactions is set in motion. That causes the sea water to increase its acidity as an increase in hydrogen ions tamps down carbonate ions, which would balance out the water’s pH level, as NOAA explained in a statement.

Crustaceans and corals need carbonate ions to help them build strong shells. In their absence, it becomes difficult for crabs, oysters and clams to build shells. It also stops corals from building strong skeletons and it weakens plankton, as CNN reported.

“Decreases in carbonate ions can make building and maintaining shells and other calcium carbonate structures difficult for calcifying organisms,” explains NOAA.

Previous research had shown that ocean acidification was causing harm to West Coast pteropods, small free-swimming snails that are food for Dungeness crab, according to The Seattle Times. Direct damage to Dungeness crabs was not expected for many years to come, so the findings have alarmed NOAA scientists.

“We found dissolution impacts to the crab larvae that were not expected to occur until much later in this century,” Richard Feely, study co-author and NOAA senior scientist, said as CNN reported.

The research boat that took samples in 2016 did not just find damage to the crab’s shell, but also to tiny hair-like structures crabs use to navigate their environments, which is something scientists had never seen before. Crabs without these tiny mechanoreceptors could move slowly and have trouble swimming and finding food, according to CNN.

As for shell damage, the shells showed signs of scarring and abnormal ridging, which may impair a crab’s ability to swim, stay buoyant and escape from predators. The damaged crabs were also smaller, which suggests developmental delays, as the Sustainability Times reported.

“We were really surprised to see this level of dissolution happening,” Bednarsek said, as The Seattle Times reported.

The authors say their findings mean more research is needed to make new predictions about the future of the Dungeness crab as the Pacific coastal waters continue to absorb more carbon dioxide, according to The Seattle Times.

 

 

Written by

Jordan Davidson, ,

This article is published in collaboration with EcoWatch

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.