Recently, a concerned individual reached out to us: "I'm worried that over time, sunlight will break these mats down, eventually polluting the lake with microplastic particles that could harm fish and waterfowl.”
This is a valid and significant concern, so let’s address it.
The Origin of Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny fragments created when conventional plastics degrade under sunlight. These bits persist in the environment because they're too large for microbes to digest—imagine trying to eat a car! Even though they’re called “micro,” these plastics are still too big to be broken down by microorganisms.
The Difference Between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable
Materials that decompose naturally are labeled "biodegradable," typically a positive attribute—except when it comes to plastic. Regular plastics in sunlight break down into microplastic particles.
Polypropylene geotextiles, however, are "non-biodegradable," meaning they don't naturally decompose or dissolve. Normally, non-biodegradable is a negative term, but in this context, it’s beneficial. These plastics don’t break apart and thus don’t form microplastic particles. Here, non-biodegradable is exactly what we need.
Sunlight’s Interaction with Water
Imagine standing in a pool under the blazing sun. Your shoulders might tan or burn, but your feet stay unaffected. This is because ultraviolet (UV) light, which has short wavelengths, doesn’t penetrate water deeply. UV rays (UVA, UVB, and UVC) can only go a few inches into the water.
Because of this, our geotextiles get almost no UV exposure underwater, ensuring they stay intact until removed and recycled. The fibers don’t fragment, therefore, no microplastics are created.
If a LakeMat were left out of water in direct sunlight, it would start to become brittle after about 35 years. However, it’s unlikely anyone would buy a LakeMat just to leave it onshore for decades.
LakeMats don’t produce microplastics, nor do they harm the microorganisms essential for keeping your lake clean. They’re the most environmentally friendly solution for managing aquatic weeds in ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Microplastics are an environmental threat. LakeMat products ensure you won't contribute to this problem.
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