mermaid tear

mermaid tear
 n.— Note: Nurdles are defined here. «More alarmingly, research has shown that small plastic pieces, also termed nurdles or “mermaid tears”, act like sponges, absorbing pollutants and other harmful substances. When consumed by living organisms and passed along the food chain, the pollutants become “biomagnified” and can reach dangerously high concentrations, a particular risk if / when their host fishes find their way onto our dinner plates.» —“Beyond guilt’s horizons a plastic invasion fleet gathers” by Catherine Cheung Courier (Ballarat, Victoria, Australia) June 14, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)