There is less plastic in the world's seas than previously feared

A new study conducted at Utrecht University has concluded that there is much less plastic waste in the oceans than previously feared, and that much of the plastic in the ocean is made up of large pieces that are easier to clean .The research, as stated by the University in a press release, is based on calculations with a computer model that includes a record number of measurements and observations.The lead author of the study stated that “counts of beach cleanups and observations of large plastic objects floating on the water were added.”Variables that are not foreign to our country, given that 72.5% of waste on beaches is plastic and the Mediterranean remains one of the most polluted seas in the world.However, there is not only good news and the problem should not be underestimated:the estimate of floating waste has increased and it has been discovered that polymers remain in the ocean much longer than previously thought.

To date, the total amount of plastic in the oceans was estimated at over 25 million tons, of which 250,000 tons were floating waste.The study showed that the amount of plastic on the ocean surface is actually higher, about 2 million tons, but that only one million tons is present in the depths of the oceans.This means that there is less waste overall but that the proportion of waste floating on the surface is much larger than expected.Estimates of the amount of plastic that ends up in waters every year have also been reduced:half a million tons and not 4-12 million as previously thought.In the future the figure may change further given that, according to the main author of the study, research in the sector is still in its infancy and "we are still looking for an order of magnitude".Although most of the plastic in the oceans is made up of very small particles, it is the “big, floating pieces” that make up the mass.The good news is that, given their size, they are easier to find than micro-plastics.Another thing, however, is to commit to doing so in significant quantities and reduce the number of waste abandoned in the water, given that excluding micro-particles, about half comes from fishing boats.Another important conclusion is that plastic remains in the ocean much longer than previously thought And, second Mikael Kaandorp, lead author of the study, this is bad news:«It means that it will take much longer before the effects of measures to combat plastic waste are visible.It will be even more difficult to return to the situation it once was.Furthermore, if we don't act now, the effects will be felt for a long time to come."

The scientific community will refine its methods and guarantee even more precise estimates, but one thing can be done right now: stop leaving waste on the beach and in the sea.Despite increasingly ambitious international commitments, the Mediterranean it still is one of the most polluted seas in the world and on Italian beaches have been registered as many as 961 pieces of waste every 100 linear meters of which 72.5% is plastic.Polymer pollution was also related to cancer and birth defects by one study which showed how “current models of plastic production, use and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant damage to human health, as well as profound social injustices”.

[by Roberto Demaio]