Push Admin

14 million tons of microplastics on sea floor: Australian study

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/reuters/10/07/20201005-plastic-bag-sea.jpg"/><figcaption>A plastic bag is seen at the bottom of the sea, off the island of Andros, Greece, July 20, 2019. Stelios Misinas, Reuters/File</figcaption></figure></div>SYDNEY - The world&#x27;s sea floor is littered with an estimated 14 million tons of microplastics, broken down from the masses of rubbish entering the oceans every year, according to Australia&#x27;s national science agency.The quantity of the tiny pollutants was 25 times greater than previous localized studies had shown, the agency said, calling it the first global estimate of sea-floor microplastics.Researchers at the agency, known as CSIRO, used a robotic submarine to collect samples from sites up to 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) deep, off the South Australian coast.&quot;Our research found that the deep ocean is a sink for microplastics,&quot; principal research scientist Denise Hardesty said.&quot;We were surprised to observe high microplastic loads in such a remote location.&quot;The scientists, who published their findings in peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Marine Science, said areas with more floating rubbish generally had more microplastic fragments on the sea floor.&quot;Plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean deteriorates and breaks down, ending up as microplastics,&quot; study lead Justine Barrett said.&quot;The results show microplastics are indeed sinking to the ocean floor.&quot;Hardesty called for urgent action to find solutions to marine plastic pollution, which affects ecosystems, wildlife and human health.&quot;Government, industry and the community need to work together to significantly reduce the amount of litter we see along our beaches and in our oceans,&quot; she said.

The quantity of the tiny pollutants was 25 times greater than previous localized studies had shown, the agency said, calling it the first global estimate of sea-floor microplastics.

The quantity of the tiny pollutants was 25 times greater than previous localized studies had shown, the agency said, calling it the first global estimate of sea-floor microplastics.