Guest Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 An estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing more than 250,000 tons, are floating around the world's oceans, negatively impacting marine life, according to research led by Marcus Eriksen, and published in the December 10 PLOS ONE journal. Plastic pollution in the ocean dependent on population density, maritime activity and watershed outfalls Scientists collected data across all five subtropical gyres (North Pacific, North Atlantic, South Pacific, South Atlantic, Indian Ocean), coastal Australia, the Bay of Bengal and the Mediterranean Sea, "conducting surface net tows... and visual survey transects of large plastic debris," in a total of 1,571 locations. Plastic pollution persistent even in regions with fewer humans Scientists were surprised to learn that the amount of plastic present in the southern hemisphere was similar to that found in the northern hemisphere oceans, an unexpected finding considering that the inputs are much greater in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Researchers now believe that ocean currents are redistributing plastics more easily than previously thought. "What we are witnessing in the global ocean is a growing threat of toxin-laden microplastics cycling through the entire marine ecosystem," said Eriksen, the study's lead author. Even the plastic industry recognizes the problem, agreeing that their products don't belong in the ocean. "Even after plastics have fulfilled their initial purpose, these materials should be treated as valuable resources and recycled whenever possible or recovered for their energy value when they cannot," according to a statement by the American Chemistry Council. smh Sick Earthlings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amenART 429 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 seriously though, this is disgusting why don't people respect the plant we were put on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphine Prince 109,699 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 This is so sad. Our way of life isn't sustainable and humanity will have to change someday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeala 875 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 we're doomed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloody 64,632 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gagaloo911 12,959 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 This is so sickening. Yet even more proof humans are destroying our only planet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Pinkman 4,660 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Tragic. Imagine the amount of toxins the plastic will release once it starts to decay... It's science, bitch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toph 375 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 microplastics; that is plankton and other microscopic (however vital) life would become contaminated from eating them. The entire ecosystem would become contaminated with toxic plastic waste. people need to wake up and change habits. taking steps is easy, standing still is hard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByeBye49 161 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Disgusting, how hard is to dispose of things properly? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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