Plastic Pollution: Microplastics Found in the World's Remotest Ocean by Volvo Ocean Race Science Programme
Their findings show nine and 26 particles of microplastic per cubic metre at Point Nemo, which is the farthest point from land on Earth
The amount of awareness on plastic pollution in the world is not enough. Plastic has entered our environment in such a quantity that its reaching even the most remote parts of the world. The Volvo Ocean Race Science Programme which provides direct insight into the state of pollution in the oceans have found levels of plastic in areas of the Southern Ocean – the world's remotest ocean. This data was released at the Volvo Ocean Race Ocean Summit. This is a platform which explores the issues and solutions to the plastic crisis. The science programme goes across 12-ports, 45,000-miles is one of the very challenging events.
Their findings show nine and 26 particles of microplastic per cubic metre at Point Nemo, which is the farthest point from land on Earth. The nearest humans from this point are at the astronauts from International Space Station. The nearest inhabited landmass from here about 2,700 km away. As their boats sailed close to the tip of South America the plastic measurements kept increasing. Here they found about 57 particles of microplastic per cubic metre. The plastic percentage varied due to the ocean currents which are responsible for carrying the microplastics to great distances. The highest levels of microplastic found so far were in the South China Sea, east of Taiwan. About 357 particles per cubic metre were found in a sample taken from this area which then feeds it in the Great Pacific Ocean Gyre. National Geographic's Latest Cover on Plastic Pollution Is 'Just Tip of the Iceberg'
Check Volvo Ocean Race's tweet about the plastic findings:
Dr. Sören Gutekunst of GEOMAR Institute for Ocean Research Kiel, analysed the microplastics data in his laboratory in Germany. He said, “This is the first ever data that the scientific community has been able to analyse from a relatively inaccessible part of our blue planet. Unfortunately, it shows how far and wide microplastics have penetrated our vast oceans and that they are now present in what, until now, many have considered to be untouched, pristine waters.”
About a month back, scientists had found plastic junk even in the Arctic Sea. Plastic takes thousands of years to degrade and break down completely. It has already been taking lives of the many underwater species in the ocean. Even the deepest and farthest points on the Earth has been polluted, which highlights the amount of plastic that has been released into the sea. These microplastics are invisible to the naked eye but are very harmful to the environment.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2018 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).