We already know that seas and oceans have become landfills over time that accumulate huge amounts of plastic waste, but how much exactly? The last estimate was made in 1975, when it was found that approximately 0.1% of world plastic production was washed out to sea each year .
According to the results of a study published in the journal Science , the current reality is very different. A group of scientists has analyzed the amount of plastic waste generated per year in 192 coastal countries, and has shown that between 40 and 60% of these end up being washed into marine waters .
In fact, they have found that in 2010 an average of eight tons of this waste ended up in the ocean , a figure that represents around 3% of the world's total plastic, "a sufficient production to cover every foot of coastline on the planet," they say. researchers.
In view of these chilling figures, experts warn that "this is only the beginning of bigger problems." In fact, it is still unknown where 99% of the plastic waste that ends up in the seas and oceans ends up , and with it, the impact that this may be causing on marine life and on the food supply for humans.
Finally, the study authors estimate that the annual amount of plastic waste in the sea will more than double in the next 10 years . Unless we put an effective solution to the problem, of course.
