Should I Remove Abandoned Beer Bottles from the Ocean Floor?

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The discussion centers on the environmental implications of finding beer bottles while scuba diving. The original poster observed that the bottles were encrusted with marine life and debated whether to remove them. While acknowledging that the bottles are not part of the natural environment, they considered the potential benefits of leaving them in place as a habitat for marine creatures. Participants in the discussion expressed mixed feelings about the bottles, recognizing that while they can serve as artificial reefs, they also pose risks if they shatter or if creatures become trapped inside. The conversation highlighted the difference between glass and plastic waste, with many agreeing that plastic is more harmful due to its potential to be ingested by marine life. The topic also touched on personal experiences with litter and the broader issue of marine pollution, including the impact of plastic waste in oceans. Overall, the consensus leaned towards leaving the bottles if they are already colonized, but emphasized the importance of responsible disposal of litter in aquatic environments.
lisab
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When I was scuba diving last weekend, I noticed several beer bottles on the bottom. They had been there a long time, and were encrusted with barnacles and limpets...and who knows what was living inside.

If I had found a fresh bottle (with nothing living in or on it), I'd have picked it up immediately and cursed the litterbug jerk who tossed it there. I left these in place, since they were colonized. But I'm unsure about my choice. I suppose they pose a small threat of entrapment for something that somehow gets stuck inside. They also might provide shelter, too.

In any case, they aren't part of the natural environment. Should I have removed them?
 
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i think they'll be fine. glass is pretty inert. coralline algae will grow on it. and everything else. about the only way it differs from real reef rocks is that critters that bore like some bivalves won't be able to secrete acid and bore into it.

but yeah, pretty soon it'll be invisible.
 
This thread was misleading.
 
lisab said:
In any case, they aren't part of the natural environment.
It seems they are ! :smile:
 
I thought the name was perfectly descriptive :biggrin:! Well then how should I have named it?














I know, I know...Jimmy is a fine name.
 
I'd just consider it a very small artificial reef. :approve:

Though I wouldn't suggest people throw beer bottles into the reef (they're still idiots for doing it, IMO), I wouldn't have touched them in those circumstances either.
 
I thought you were talking about my front yard. It's not littered with beer bottles, but broken bits of plastic toys. I hate "Made in China." Quite a different thread.
 
Strange, I correctly guessed what the thread was about from the subject line, things living in trash. Did it used to be something different? Beer bottles strewn about are unsightly, and pose a danger if they shatter, but I don't know the other environmental considerations. They're probably no worse in the water than on land.
 
  • #10
Chi Meson said:
I thought you were talking about my front yard. It's not littered with beer bottles, but broken bits of plastic toys. I hate "Made in China." Quite a different thread.
Perhaps someday you'll meet my daugher, Maiden Japan.
 
  • #11
Just like you said, if they had been new I'd certainly consider them trash and pick them up.

I participated in a local scuba lake clean up last year. We found tons of old pop tops (yeah, the original teardrop ones), that were falling apart. We disposed of them, and nothing was using them as a home, so that thought never crossed my mind.

On the other hand, I live on the Gulf Coast and we have tons of artificial reefs, so I can understand your thoughts about the objects now being a useful. Maybe now when I go diving I'll think twice and chuck my bottles over the side instead of selfishly disposing of them. THANKS LISAB!
 
  • #12
I hate trash and littering. Still, if a beer bottle has become home to some critters on a reef, I would hesitate to disturb it.

Your predicament reminds me of a Patric McManus story about an old-timer who was outraged when some do-gooders hauled an old car out of a stream that had been sheltering some nice big fish, and ruined his favorite fishing hole.
 
  • #13
AFAIK, glass is not really an issue beyond the economics of recylcing it, and the energy involved. I think it's also about context... if someone dumped a case of bottles, I'd clean it... if its one in a constructed reef... that's a home in the making.

Plastic is a different animal altogether, and general detritus which may be consumed. After all, this is why ships are scuttled to make artificial reefs.
 
  • #14
Lisa,

Nice to hear that you care about the environment, I am sure you have heard of http://www.worldculturepictorial.com/blog/content/fimmaker-richard-pain-swim-great-pacific-garbage-patch" .
See thumbnail, I am no tree hugger, but must admit the thought of this gives me pause, as I think it does most reasonable people.

Rhody...:frown: :rolleyes:
 

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  • #15
rhody said:
Lisa,

Nice to hear that you care about the environment, I am sure you have heard of http://www.worldculturepictorial.com/blog/content/fimmaker-richard-pain-swim-great-pacific-garbage-patch" See thumbnail:

Yes, I have heard of it. In fact, I worked a summer fishing black cod off the Aleutian chain in Alaska, and on remote, uninhabited islands I'd find garbage on the beach - sometimes lots of garbage. Back then (the mid-to-late 80s), most of the garbage was styrofoam cups. This was before bottled water became popular - now most floating garbage is discarded plastic water bottles.

Thanks for that link! In a couple of pics there, there are what look like fishing nets...yikes! Those have to be the worst. They're appropriately called ghost nets:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_net

They're dangerous to divers, too.
 
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