this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025
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Microplastics discovered in caddisfly casings from the 1970s suggest long-term contamination (phys.org)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Rhoeri@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world
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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 29 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Made me wonder "what would it mean if we found micro plastics in the bones of a 1500 year old mummy or something?"

[–] Rhoeri@lemmy.world 28 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Okay, now that is the beginning of some good SciFi in the least!

[–] Taiatari@lemmynsfw.com 21 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

In the first instance, we'd probably presume it to be a contamination.

[–] Rhoeri@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

But then we find out that they had Lego.

[–] floo@retrolemmy.com 7 points 2 weeks ago

Oh, super

[–] SaltSong@startrek.website 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm moderately citrus to know why we have caddisfly casings from the 1970s. Seems am odd thing to keep for so long.

[–] scott@lem.free.as 4 points 2 weeks ago

Lemon or lime?

[–] asterisky@lemm.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Natural sciences museums often keep collections of specimens collected during research expeditions as a sort of biological reference library for research purposes. In addition to environmental impact studies, these collections can also be used e.g. to aid in the identification of new species.

[–] SaltSong@startrek.website 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yea, I asked the question before reading the article. Silly thing for me to do.