Plastic Pollution in Atlantic Ocean at least 10 Times Worse than Thought

Scientists warn prevalence of plastic pollution may pose risks to human and ocean health.

More than 10 times as much plastic has been found in the Atlantic ocean than previously estimated to be there, showing the the world’s plastic problem is likely to be much greater than realized.

photo of ocean plastic
New research suggests the world’s plastic problem is likely to be much greater than realized. Photo by Bo Eide.

New measurements of the top 200 meters of the Atlantic found between 12 and 21 million tonnes of microscopic particles of three of the most common types of plastic, in about 5 percent of the ocean. That would indicate a concentration in the Atlantic of about 200 million tonnes of these common plastics.

Previous estimates, based on calculations of the amount of mismanaged municipal waste in coastal areas, were that between 17 million and 47 million tonnes of plastic had been released into the Atlantic in total over the 65 years from 1950 to 2015.

Katsiaryna Pabortsava, of the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, and lead author of the study, said: “Our key finding is that there is an awful lot of very, very small microplastic particles in the upper Atlantic ocean, much higher than the previous estimate. The amount of plastic has been massively underestimated.”

She said the discovery should spur policymakers to consider what could be done to stop so much plastic reaching the seas, where it endangered marine life. She added that people still knew too little about the dangers.

“Society is very concerned about plastic, for ocean health and human health,” Pabortsava said. “We need to answer fundamental questions about the effects of this plastic, and if it harms ocean health. The effects might be serious, but might take a while to kick in at sub-lethal levels.”

In order for policymakers to stop plastic reaching the oceans — where it stays for decades, breaking up into smaller and smaller particles — they need better understanding of the sources, and how it behaves once in the water. “The sources of plastic in the ocean have not been quantified properly,” said Pabortsava. “We really don’t know enough about how much plastic is going into the ocean, and where from.”

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, followed other research that showed the scourge of plastic in the oceans was likely to be greater and growing faster than had been recognized.

Research published in April showed that microplastics were found in greater quantities than ever before on the seabed, in areas suggesting they had been carried to the bottom by strong currents and concentrated in hotspots. A further study in May concluded that the amount of microplastic in the ocean had been underestimated, and that the particles could outnumber zooplankton.

Last month, a major study by the Pew Trusts and others found that the amount of plastic entering the oceans was likely to triple in the next 20 years, on current trends.

Jim Palardy, director of conservation science at the Pew Trusts, who was not involved in this week’s Nature paper, said: “[This] study not only shows that we have a lot to learn about the scale of ocean plastic pollution, but also highlights the need for immediate and sustained action to tackle this urgent issue. Although it may be daunting, ocean plastic pollution is not an insurmountable problem.”

Action was urgently needed, he said: “Our recent study found that existing technologies can greatly reduce the amount of ocean plastic – if we make immediate changes.”

Scientists are poised to learn more about the potential harms to health from microplastic pollution. Earlier this week, researchers reported on a new technique that would allow them to detect the presence of microplastics in human organs.

Get the Journal in your inbox.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

You Make Our Work Possible

You Make Our Work Possible

We don’t have a paywall because, as a nonprofit publication, our mission is to inform, educate and inspire action to protect our living world. Which is why we rely on readers like you for support. If you believe in the work we do, please consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation to our Green Journalism Fund.

Donate
Get the Journal in your inbox.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

The Latest

‘Atomic Bamboozle’ Unpacks Another Nuclear Ballyhoo

A new documentary challenges the public relations campaign boosting nuclear power as the solution to the climate crisis.

Ed Rampell

By Shutting Down USAID, Trump and Musk Will Worsen the Climate and Extinction Crises

The agency supports critical efforts to reduce wildlife trafficking, deforestation, land violence, and other threats around the world.

John R. Platt

Phoenix Is for Lovebirds

If this avian transplant can adapt to the heat, maybe we all can.

Kris Ann Valdez

Trump Aims to Crush Legal Curbs on His Climate Rollback — But it May Not Be Easy

The president-elect said he will ‘stop the wave of frivolous litigation from environmental extremists’ but the ability to block suits will be limited, experts say.

Dharna Noor The Guardian

Feds Preparing to Sign Off on Contentious Vermont Logging Plan

Environmental activists say the proposal threatens Green Mountain National Forest’s roadless areas and old-growth trees.

Will Solomon

The Los Angeles Wildfires Are Climate Disasters Compounded

Conditions for a January LA firestorm have not existed before now, writes a meteorologist and climate journalist.

Eric Holthaus The Guardian