Researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University have discovered that the North Atlantic Ocean contains as much as 27 million tons of nanoplastics—tiny particles smaller than one micrometer, invisible to the naked eye. These are thought to account for a large portion of the planet’s so-called “missing plastics.”
Where Do They Come From?
- Carried into the ocean via rivers, rainfall, and airborne particles
- Created when larger plastics break down in seawater
Why They’re Dangerous
Nanoplastics can penetrate deep into animal and human bodies, even reaching brain tissue. Once dispersed, they cannot be removed from the ocean.
The Only Solution: Prevention
Scientists emphasize that the only viable option is to prevent further contamination, as the plastics already present in the ocean cannot be cleaned up.
This alarming discovery highlights the urgent need for global action to curb plastic pollution before it causes even more irreversible damage to ecosystems and human health.
Source: Gizmodo
