New research reveals that even halting plastic pollution won't stop ocean contamination for over a century, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive policies.

Research from Queen Mary University of London and the British Antarctic Survey has found that plastic pollution in the oceans will persist for over a century, even if all plastic waste is eliminated today. The study utilized a computer model to simulate the degradation of large plastic items, revealing that they break down into microplastics that attach to marine snow and sink slowly. This process contributes to the 'missing plastic' phenomenon, where the amount of plastic entering the ocean does not match the quantities found on the surface. The findings suggest that the ocean's biological pump, which moves carbon and nutrients from the surface to the deep sea, also transports plastics. As global plastic production rises, there is concern that the biological pump could become overloaded, impacting carbon storage efficiency and marine ecosystems. The study emphasizes the need for long-term strategies to address plastic production and disposal, rather than relying solely on clean-up efforts.