A major new study published in Nature has revealed that approximately 27 million tons of ultra-fine plastic particles, known as nanoplastics, are currently floating in the North Atlantic Ocean. The researchers, from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, used a novel approach to measure the characteristic molecules of different types of plastics, providing the first quantitative estimate of nanoplastics present in the world’s oceans.
The study found that the amount of nanoplastics in the North Atlantic is staggering, with an estimated 27 million tons. The researchers believe that this large amount of pollution could have far-reaching biological effects on marine ecosystems and even humans. They suggest that nanoplastics penetrate deep into our bodies, including brain tissue, and may affect entire ecosystems.
The study’s findings provide a deeper understanding of microplastic pollution and highlight the need for further research into the impact of nanoplastics on the environment. The researchers also emphasized the importance of preventing further plastic pollution to mitigate this problem. However, experts acknowledge that banning all plastics is not a feasible solution due to its widespread use in modern society.
The study’s lead researcher, Helge Niemann, notes that while the amount of nanoplastics found in the North Atlantic is shocking, it also provides an important answer to the paradox of the missing plastic. The team’s collaboration and expertise in atmospheric science contributed significantly to this breakthrough discovery.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/shocking-27-million-tons-of-nanoplastics-discovered-in-the-north-atlantic