Plastic debris in the open ocean
Andrés Cózar,Fidel Echevarría,J. Ignacio González-Gordillo,Xabier Irigoien,Bárbara Úbeda,Santiago Hernández-León,Alvaro T. Palma,Sandra Navarro,Juan García-de-Lomas,Andrea Ruiz,María L. Fernández-de-Puelles,Carlos M. Duarte +11 more
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TLDR
Using data from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, regional surveys, and previously published reports, this work shows a worldwide distribution of plastic on the surface of the open ocean, mostly accumulating in the convergence zones of each of the five subtropical gyres with comparable density.Abstract:
There is a rising concern regarding the accumulation of floating plastic debris in the open ocean. However, the magnitude and the fate of this pollution are still open questions. Using data from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, regional surveys, and previously published reports, we show a worldwide distribution of plastic on the surface of the open ocean, mostly accumulating in the convergence zones of each of the five subtropical gyres with comparable density. However, the global load of plastic on the open ocean surface was estimated to be on the order of tens of thousands of tons, far less than expected. Our observations of the size distribution of floating plastic debris point at important size-selective sinks removing millimeter-sized fragments of floating plastic on a large scale. This sink may involve a combination of fast nano-fragmentation of the microplastic into particles of microns or smaller, their transference to the ocean interior by food webs and ballasting processes, and processes yet to be discovered. Resolving the fate of the missing plastic debris is of fundamental importance to determine the nature and significance of the impacts of plastic pollution in the ocean.read more
Citations
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Synthetic microfibers in marine sediments and surface seawater from the Argentinean continental shelf and a Marine Protected Area
Ana Carolina Ronda,Ana Carolina Ronda,Andres Hugo Arias,Andres Hugo Arias,Ana Laura Oliva,Jorge Eduardo Marcovecchio +5 more
TL;DR: In this paper, samples were collected from the Argentinean continental shelf to assess the occurrence and distribution of synthetic microfibers (MFs), a widespread type of microplastic.
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Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis
TL;DR: A systematic review and meta-analysis of all relevant research on MP contamination of salt intended for human consumption found that a series of recurring issues need to be addressed in future research regarding sampling, analysis and reporting to improve confidence in research findings.
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Revealing the intersectoral material flow of plastic containers and packaging in Japan
TL;DR: A model for material flow analysis using input–output tables (IO-MFA) that specifies the intersectoral flow of plastics as containers and packaging in Japan is developed and it is indicated that it will be extremely difficult to reach the reuse/recycling target collectively with industries.
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Plastic-Free July: An Experimental Study of Limiting and Promoting Factors in Encouraging a Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Consumption
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated if an arbitrary month that is framed as an opportunity for change can interrupt people in their daily routines and reduce plastic consumption, and they concluded with recommendations for plastic-free purchase and policy support.
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The seasonal distribution characteristics of microplastics on bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the distribution, composition and seasonal variation of microplastics in seawater and sediments of six bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao.
References
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Microplastics in the marine environment
TL;DR: The mechanisms of generation and potential impacts of microplastics in the ocean environment are discussed, and the increasing levels of plastic pollution of the oceans are understood, it is important to better understand the impact of microPlastic in the Ocean food web.
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Lost at sea: where is all the plastic?
Richard C. Thompson,Ylva S. Olsen,Richard P. Mitchell,Anthony Davis,Steven J. Rowland,Anthony W. G. John,Daniel F. McGonigle,Andrea E. Russell +7 more
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Emma L. Teuten,Jovita M. Saquing,Detlef R.U. Knappe,Morton A. Barlaz,Susanne Jonsson,Annika Björn,Steven J. Rowland,Richard C. Thompson,Tamara S. Galloway,Rei Yamashita,Daisuke Ochi,Yutaka Watanuki,Charles J. Moore,Pham Hung Viet,Touch Seang Tana,Maricar S. Prudente,Ruchaya Boonyatumanond,Mohamad Pauzi Zakaria,Kongsap Akkhavong,Yuko Ogata,Hisashi Hirai,Satoru Iwasa,Kaoruko Mizukawa,Yuki Hagino,Ayako Imamura,Mahua Saha,Hideshige Takada +26 more
TL;DR: Model calculations and experimental observations consistently show that polyethylene accumulates more organic contaminants than other plastics such as polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride, and PCBs could transfer from contaminated plastics to streaked shearwater chicks.