The St.Lawrence challenge : companies pledge to reduce plastic consumption

The accumulation of plastic in marine ecosystems is a real plague and the St. Lawrence is no exception. In some places, microplastic concentrations in the river’s sediment represent some of the highest values ​​in the world. These particles are less than 5 mm in size and originate from the degradation of larger pieces of plastic and synthetic fibres.

These small fragments of plastics are harmful not only for aquatic fauna, but also for human health. Microplastics can be contaminated by harmful substances and stored in the tissues of tiny marine organisms, which are then eaten in great quantities by larger organisms such as baleen whales. Contaminants are thus bioaccumulated, and their adverse effects may eventually become manifest. Toothed whales may inadvertently eat larger plastic items such as plastic bags, which they mistake for squid. Such refuse can block or puncture their digestive system or create a false sense of being full, which can be fatal for the animal.