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plastics

Plastic debris floats near the ocean surface, as seen from underwater
Posted inResearch Spotlights

Tracking How Plastic Moves in the Coastal Ocean

Kate Wheeling, freelance science writer by Kate Wheeling 21 December 20203 November 2021

Researchers used a wave tank to study the movement of plastic particles experimentally and to understand the role of particle density in drift behavior.

Men on the deck of a research vessel collect samples from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Posted inNews

Below the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: More Garbage

Mara Johnson-Groh, Science Writer by Mara Johnson-Groh 4 June 20201 February 2023

New research is finding there’s more to marine debris than just what appears near the ocean surface, including tons of microplastics extending hundreds of meters into the deep.

Empty potato chip bag
Posted inNews

Tear, Don’t Cut, to Reduce Microplastics

Katherine Kornei, Science Writer by Katherine Kornei 29 April 202013 March 2023

Laboratory experiments reveal the numbers and types of microplastics produced by tearing, scissoring, and cutting everyday items.

Beach strewn with plastic and glass debris
Posted inNews

Bill Calls for Dramatically Cutting Plastic Pollution

by Randy Showstack 11 February 20204 February 2022

With just 8% of plastic waste in the United States currently being recycled, the bill aims to set up an effective plastic recycling program and limit single-use plastic.

Young woman holds a sieve filled with microplastics on the beach
Posted inNews

Mixed Reviews for Bill to Curb Ocean Plastics Pollution

by Randy Showstack 13 November 20193 November 2021

Although the Save Our Seas supporters include industry and the Ocean Conservancy, some environmental groups say the legislation won’t solve the problem.

Diagrams of modeled plastic particle concentrations in the ocean after 10 simulated years, starting from an initial uniform distribution over the entire globe
Posted inResearch Spotlights

How Are Microplastics Transported to Polar Regions?

by Terri Cook 26 September 201916 September 2022

New modeling indicates that global subsurface ocean currents distribute submerged microplastics along very different routes than those traveled by floating plastic debris.

Long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte
Posted inNews

Great Pacific Garbage Patch Swim Nears Conclusion

by Randy Showstack 30 August 20193 November 2021

Long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte seeks to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the ocean.

Satellite image of the Ebro River delta
Posted inNews

Rivers Are a Highway for Microplastics into the Ocean

Javier Barbuzano, Science Writer by Javier Barbuzano 9 August 20193 November 2021

New research shows that rivers are the main road for all the plastic pollution that gets into the ocean, including microplastics.

A kneeling scientist extracts a sample from a glacier.
Posted inNews

Plastic Fragments Found for the First Time on a Glacier

Katherine Kornei, Science Writer by Katherine Kornei 18 April 201913 January 2022

The discovery, made in the Italian Alps, confirms the ubiquity of plastic pollution worldwide.

A plastic bag drifts in a shallow sea.
Posted inNews

Satellite Imagery Reveals Plastic Garbage in the Ocean

Katherine Kornei, Science Writer by Katherine Kornei 15 April 20193 March 2023

Using high-resolution satellite data, scientists pinpoint discarded plastics floating off the coasts of Canada and Scotland.

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