North Pacific Garbage Patch: A Growing Plastic Threat to Ecosystems
A team of researchers highlights the alarming growth of the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP), now filled with plastic debris from all corners of the world.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that small plastic fragments, just a few centimeters in size, are increasing much faster than larger floating debris. This trend poses a significant threat to local ecosystems and could potentially disrupt the global carbon cycle.
Findings from The Ocean Cleanup (2015–2022)
Data from systematic studies conducted by The Ocean Cleanup between 2015 and 2022 show a surprising surge in the mass concentration of new plastic fragments in the NPGP. Unlike larger debris, these fragments are likely new arrivals and not just the result of older plastics breaking down.
Decades-Old Plastics on the Rise
Researchers suggest that these fragments are derived from decades-old plastic waste discarded worldwide, which accumulates in this remote Pacific region. The exponential increase in these materials underscores the urgent need for enhanced global efforts to curb plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
This discovery emphasizes the growing challenges posed by plastic waste to the health of our oceans and the planet.
Source: tameteo
