News Ecosystems

Sea of plastics

Patches of tiny polymer fragments more common and deeper than previously recognized

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

PORTLAND, Ore. — Recent studies show that the oceans may hold more “garbage patches” of fine plastic flotsam than scientists realized and that the fragments extend well below the sea surface.

TINY TROUBLES The world’s oceans contain a surprisingly large load of tiny plastic fragments, such as these collected in the Pacific Ocean.