Rivers carrying plastic waste from land to ocean are contributing to the disappearance of ocean plastic
In a groundbreaking study published in the prestigious Science journal, researchers have shed new light on the growing crisis of microplastic pollution in our oceans. The study, with the DOI 10.1126/science.abe0290, underscores the urgent need for more research and collective action to combat this pressing environmental issue.
The impacts of plastics on the marine environment have emerged as a significant area of scientific research in recent years, with a growing number of publications. However, the study suggests that we have only just begun to understand how plastics cycle in the oceans.
Dr. Wolfgang Ludwig, the Director of the CEFREM laboratory and co-author of the study, emphasizes the need to target sources of microplastic waste to combat microplastic pollution. He stresses that taking action at a global scale, changing consumption habits, and better managing waste are crucial steps in this fight.
The research highlights the need for further study on plastic size classes, oceanic compartments, and land-to-sea transfer processes to properly evaluate the stock sizes and exchange fluxes between compartments. This comprehensive approach is essential for providing the best possible decision-making advice for protecting our oceans and seas.
The study also reveals that marine microplastic pollution is a global issue, not limited to countries with poor waste management systems. In fact, most of the microplastic particles carried by rivers into the oceans originate from ten major rivers, primarily eight in Asia and two in Africa. Calculations show that about 90% of riverine plastic pollution stems from these rivers, with the majority coming from China, India, South Asia, and Africa.
Perhaps one of the most concerning findings is that stopping the discharge of microplastics from rivers to the sea today would not immediately alleviate the problem. The harmful effects on marine ecosystems would persist for several years due to the long lifespan of microplastics in the ocean.
The scientific community must work together to overcome inertia from the past, correct mistakes, and use common protocols and guidelines to address this global issue. The study underscores the urgent need for more research in the field of plastic pollution in the marine environment to better understand and combat this pressing environmental crisis.
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