'Plasticrusts' found on Portuguese rocks
(CNN) - Scientists have discovered a new type of plastic pollution -- "plasticrusts" -- a layer of plastic encrusted onto ocean rocks. Researchers from the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre first observed the plastic patches on the Portuguese island of Madeira in 2016. "Earlier this year we noticed that these plasticrusts were more abundant and have therefore initiated a more rigorous monitoring of the phenomenon." After sampling rocks along the coastline, researchers found that by 2019 the crusts now covered 9.46% of the rocky surface. Scientists warn that the potential impact of these new plasticrusts is still relatively unknown, but have the potential to affect the island's animals.