Plastic Waste at Sea

Large quantities of the plastic materials produced around the globe end up in the oceans. Very small objects in particular, socalled microplastic particles, pose a threat to the well-being and life of many marine creatures. Yet due of the lack of globally comparative research methods and data, it was hitherto impossible to estimate the degree to which the oceans are contaminated with microplastic particles. Together with British and Chilean colleagues, scientists from the Helmholtz Association's Alfred Wegener Institute now have evaluated all published studies on this topic and have proposed standardised guidelines for the assessment and characterisation of microplastic particles in the ocean.

Further Information:

Press Release "The sea as a rubbish tip"

back