Latest news with #oceanpollution
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Science
- New York Times
Tons of Invisible Plastic Pieces Lurk in Ocean Water
What do human brains, placentas and dolphin breath have in common? Signs of plastic pollution in the form of tiny particles known as microplastics. The ocean is also polluted with plastic, and the issue may be even more extensive than previously thought. A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature estimates the volume of nanoplastics, which are even smaller than microplastics and invisible to the naked eye, to be at least 27 million metric tons in North Atlantic seas — more than the weight of all wild land mammals. 'I've analyzed plastic in Swedish lakes, in urban and very remote air, but this was different,' said Dusan Materic, head of a microplastics and nanoplastics research group at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany and one of the lead authors of the analysis. 'It's a missing part of the plastics story that we are answering here.' Nanoplastics are microscopic fragments smaller than one micrometer — roughly the size of small bacteria. 'People were concerned about nanoplastics in ocean water, but they didn't have the technology to see what they really looked like,' said Tengfei Luo, an engineering professor at the University of Notre Dame who was not involved in the new study. Last year, Dr. Luo was an author of a separate study in the journal Science Advances that was the first to successfully find nanoplastics in ocean water and show what they looked like. 'We all expected nanoplastics, the surprising part is the amount of it,' said Sophie ten Hietbrink, a doctoral student at Stockholm University in Sweden and a lead author of the study. She spent four weeks on a boat expedition collecting samples of water across nearly 3,500 nautical miles of coastlines and open ocean near Europe, led by Helge Niemann, a professor at Utrecht University and a scientist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Divers capture video of heartbreaking scene while exploring depths of ocean: 'It is a huge challenge'
Divers off the coast of Kovalam, India, who were looking for an adventure found a disaster instead, according to The New Indian Express. In April, the divers were exploring the Kovalam artificial reef, created to mimic a natural habitat for sea creatures. To their dismay, they found a discarded giant fishing net covering a large part of the structure. Worse yet, a dead Olive Ridley sea turtle was entangled in it. Unfortunately, plastic pollution and even sewage discharge are part of the problem in the area, according to the report. "During every dive, we make a conscious attempt to remove any plastic or other debris to keep the reef healthy," diving student Siddhanth Prasad Shankar, who filmed the net, told the Express. Shankar estimated it weighs hundreds of pounds, making it impossible for him to remove. After hearing about the discovery, the National Green Tribunal ordered a "detailed action report" from the government, according to the story. Ocean pollution is a massive problem. The Center for Biological Diversity estimated that plastic waste will outweigh all fish in the sea by 2050. Lost nets are of particular danger because they entrap and kill marine life. While artificial reefs were installed partly to help boost fish populations for harvests, it's important for the industry to respect protected areas. The net is evidence that isn't happening, per the Express. Whale sharks are among other species found entangled in gear elsewhere. But even much smaller creatures can be caught in pollution. A tiny crab was recovered from inside a lost Mylar birthday balloon that ended up in the ocean. It was discovered by a group cleaning debris from the water. The Olive Ridley is the most common type of turtle species in the sea, but it's considered vulnerable by the World Wildlife Fund because it nests in specific places. When the habitat is disturbed, it can "have huge repercussions" for turtles, according to the WWF. The Express added that nearly 1,200 turtles were found dead early this year off the coast of Chennai. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The reef is located just 1.5 nautical miles from the shore. It is a huge challenge to remove the heavy discarded nets from the reef sites and the ocean floor," Shankar said in the story. Enforcement of no-fishing zones is important for protection. A study off the coast of Mexico provided evidence that protections can, in fact, benefit the fishing industry — if everyone participates in the plan. Officials in India are also starting an initiative to recover nets and other pollution, the Express reported. By exploring issues impacting our oceans, rivers, and lakes, you can find some rewarding ways to help water creatures in your part of the world. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has some easy ideas to get started, including installing a rain barrel. It's a money-saving move that will collect precipitation, helping prevent erosion and flooding. Talking with your family and friends can help form a better perspective on pollution and its impact. It takes most of the disposable plastic we use hundreds of years to decompose, so using less of it is another way to help. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CNN
11-06-2025
- Science
- CNN
Searching for solutions to microplastics in the water
As the UN Oceans Conference gets underway in France, scientists around the world are looking at new ways to tackle the problem of microplastic pollution, Derek Van Dam reports
CNN
11-06-2025
- Science
- CNN
Searching for solutions to microplastics in the water
As the UN Oceans Conference gets underway in France, scientists around the world are looking at new ways to tackle the problem of microplastic pollution, Derek Van Dam reports
CNN
11-06-2025
- Science
- CNN
Searching for solutions to microplastics in the water
As the UN Oceans Conference gets underway in France, scientists around the world are looking at new ways to tackle the problem of microplastic pollution, Derek Van Dam reports
