Latest news with #Pelagia
Scientific American
10-07-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
The Ocean Is Awash in Millions of Tons of Plastic—Most of It Is Invisible
Marine plastic litter tends to grab headlines, with images of suffocating seabirds or bottles washing up along coastlines. Increasingly, researchers have been finding tiny microplastic fragments across all environments, from the most densely populated cities to pristine mountaintops, as well as in human tissue including the brain and placenta. A study published today reveals yet another hidden source of this deadly waste: nanometre-scale particles are literally everywhere, says co-author Dušan Materić, an environmental analytical chemist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. Materić and his colleagues sampled water at three depths representative of different environments in the North Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the water column, they found three types of nanoplastic: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylchloride (PVC). These were present at average concentrations of 18 milligrams per metre cubed, which translates to 27 million tonnes of nanoplastics spread across just the top layer of the temperate to subtropical North Atlantic. 'Nanoplastics make up the dominant fraction of marine plastic pollution,' Materić says. In the entire world's oceans, it is estimated that there are around 3 million tonnes of floating plastic pollution — excluding nanoplastics. What are plastic nanoparticles and how different are they from microplastics? On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The tiniest of pieces of plastic, nanoplastics are defined by the researchers as having a diameter of less than one micrometre (one one-thousandth of a metre). Microplastics are between one micrometre and 5 millimetres across. At the smaller scale of nanoplastics, materials behave differently. Materić and his colleagues found that the particles were distributed throughout the water column, rather than settling to the bottom. The movement of the nanoplastic particles was dominated not by gravity, but by the random movement called Brownian motion, and by collisions with water molecules. How did the team find the nanoplastics? The scientists took water samples during a November 2020 cruise on research vessel Pelagia, which is owned by the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research in Texel. They sampled at 12 locations: 5 in the system of circular currents called the North Atlantic subtropical gyre; 4 in the open ocean; and 3 from coastal areas on the European continental shelf. At each location, they gathered samples at depths of 10 metres and 1,000 metres below the surface, and then 30 metres off the ocean bottom. The nanoplastics were detected using a technology called thermal-desorption proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry. 'We faced multiple challenges,' says Materić, including the need to remove contaminants other than nanoplastics. Each 10-millilitre sample was run through a filter with micrometre pores to clear out microplastics. Samples were then slowly heated, releasing any organic matter and allowing the remaining plastics to be identified. Not all was as expected. 'We faced a big mystery,' says Materić. One major class of plastics, polyethylene (PE), was missing from the data, even though fragments almost certainly enter the ocean. The fragments probably transform into something else, or might fall to the sea bed, says Materić. 'This suggests that PE nanoplastic cycling in the ocean environment follows some unusual pathway — either rapid chemical alteration or mineralization, or fast sinking.' Should we be surprised that nanoplastics are an overlooked source of plastics pollution? Should we be worried? 'This does not come as a surprise to me, as I have been aware of the extent and magnitude of the problem for some time,' says Tony Walker, an environmental scientist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. 'Nanoplastics, unlike microplastics, are able to pass through cell walls, meaning that they are already incorporated into the ocean phytoplankton which serve as the base of the marine food web and are able to be transferred through the marine food web,' he explains. The ubiquitousness of nanoplastics means they should be taken seriously, says Materić. 'Given their toxicological potential, they may represent the most problematic plastic size fraction for ocean life,' he says. Walker agrees: 'This should be a wake-up call to all of us,' he says. 'The extent to which nanoplastics can infiltrate every ecosystem and living cell on the planet is even far worse than what we already know about microplastics and larger plastic pollution.' What can be done to mitigate the pollution? The next and likely final round of negotiations for a legally binding United Nations treaty on plastics pollution will kick off in August in Geneva, Switzerland. On the table is a limit on future plastic manufacture, but this is being resisted by some countries, including those that rely on oil and gas exports to power their economies. 'One of the best strategies to mitigate future nanoplastics pollution or release into the environment is to cap plastic production,' says Walker. 'Turn off the tap.' This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on July 9, 2025.
ME Construction
12-02-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
BNW Developments Unveils ‘Pelagia' at Al Marjan Island
Property BNW Developments Unveils 'Pelagia' at Al Marjan Island By The company has 8-10 projects in the pipeline, including collaborations with global brands in lifestyle, luxury, hospitality, and fashion BNW Developments launched its latest project 'Pelagia' at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The residential development promises a blend of elegance and investment potential, offering one-to-four-bedroom luxury apartments and premium retail spaces at a prime waterfront location. The launch event was held at the sales office of BNW's Dubai headquarters unveiling by BNW Developments' Founder and Chairman, Ankur Aggarwal, alongside Co-Founder and Managing Director, Vivek Anand Oberoi. Presenting the model of the project, Aggarwal said, 'Pelagia is a serene paradise and a game changer for both investors and homeowners the project is a strategic choice for those looking to elevate their real estate portfolios.' The 160-unit comes along amenities which can be cherished by residents of every age group, a rooftop infinity pool with a pool bar, jacuzzi, steam and sauna rooms, indoor and outdoor kids' play areas, a kids' swimming pool and splash pad, dedicated yoga and meditation spaces, all the apartments come fully furnished, and the project is set for completion by December 2027. BNW Developments has a vision to redefine opulent living. The company has 8-10 projects in the pipeline, including collaborations with global brands in lifestyle, luxury, hospitality, and fashion delivering five-star lifestyle at competitive price points. This includes upcoming projects across the UAE. With Pelagia, BNW Developments continues to push boundaries, offering a blend of sophistication, comfort, and investment opportunities. Branded residences are revolutionising the market by blending luxury with affordability, drawing strong interest from both local and international buyers, said a statement.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
BNW Developments unveils 'Pelagia'
Dubai, UAE – Ultra-luxury developer BNW Developments has officially launched its latest project, 'Pelagia' at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, marking another milestone in the UAE's high-end real estate sector. The highly anticipated residential development promises an unparalleled blend of elegance and investment potential, offering 1–4-bedroom luxury apartments and premium retail spaces at a prime waterfront location. The launch event, held on February 2 at the sales office of BNW's Dubai headquarters, saw a grand unveiling by BNW Developments' Founder and Chairman, Ankur Aggarwal, alongside Co-Founder and Managing Director, Vivek Anand Oberoi. Presenting a breathtaking model of the project, Mr. Aggarwal described 'Pelagia' as 'a serene paradise' and 'a game changer for both investors and homeowners.' He emphasized that the project is a strategic choice for those looking to elevate their real estate portfolios. Designed to provide both opulence and convenience, the 160-unit high-rise boasts world-class amenities which can be cherished by residents of every age group, including a rooftop infinity pool with a pool bar, jacuzzi, steam and sauna rooms, indoor and outdoor kids' play areas, a kids' swimming pool and splash pad, as well as dedicated yoga and meditation spaces. Starting at 2.3 million AED, all the apartments come fully furnished, and the project is set for completion by December 2027. The exclusive launch event was attended by leading UAE real estate professionals and top brokerages, including Banke International Properties, Salu Empire Real Estate, Revo Realty Real Estate Brokers, Unique Properties, and Homes 4 Life Real Estate Broker, among many others. Bollywood icon Gulshan Grover also graced the occasion, adding to the grandeur of the evening. BNW Developments has rapidly carved out a niche in the UAE's ultra-luxury property market, with a vision to redefine opulent living. The company has 8-10 high-end projects in the pipeline, including premium collaborations with renowned global brands in lifestyle, luxury, hospitality, and fashion. This includes upcoming projects across the UAE. Among its previous successes is 'Aqua Arc,' a project that garnered widespread acclaim within the real estate industry. With 'Pelagia,' BNW Developments continues to push boundaries, offering an exceptional blend of sophistication, comfort, and lucrative investment opportunities in one of the UAE's most sought-after locations. About BNW Developments BNW Developments is a premier real estate company specializing in luxury projects across the UAE. Renowned for its innovative designs and exceptional quality, the company continues to set benchmarks in the industry with visionary leadership and groundbreaking initiatives. Website: About Sandstone Media Sandstone Media is a forward-thinking PR, media solutions, and communications agency based in the UAE that is committed to excellence and offers a spectrum of integrated services, including strategic communications, media solutions, and digital innovation. Sandstone Media focuses on the transformative power of storytelling and dedicates its expert team to crafting narratives that resonate and captivate audiences. Website:
