Every three to four years, The Ocean Race takes yacht sailors around the globe in a massive test of navigation and sea survival. The 2023 edition of the race, which kicked off in January and will wrap up on July 1, has led to a disturbing discovery from some of the most remote parts of the world's oceans.
Scientists often join sailors during The Ocean Race to conduct their own research, as dedicated science vessels are rarely able to visit some of these distant waters. The Guardian reported today on what they've found in their travels this year: alarmingly high concentrations of microplastics, in some places up to 18 times higher than measured in the 2017–18 race. It's a scary statistic considering the race passes places like Point Nemo in the South Pacific, the farthest place on the ocean's surface from land.
The boats collect samples using a filter to pick up microplastic particles from the water and send them off to the National Oceanography Center in the U.K. for analysis. This year, they found up to 1,884 particles per cubic meter of seawater. Near Point Nemo, they found 320 particles per cubic meter, up from a high of 41 in the 2017-18 event.
Another study released earlier this year helped put the estimated number of microplastic particles in the ocean into perspective: Approximately 170 trillion, or about 21,000 per person on the planet. What's perhaps scariest about the proliferation of microplastics everywhere—including in our own bodies—is that the health risks associated with them are still largely unknown.
Victoria Fulfer, a scientist visiting the NOC from the University of Rhode Island, broke down the new discoveries in a statement. “It’s really concerning that we are finding microplastics in every sample, from coastal areas to the most remote regions of the ocean,” she said. "We are seeing much higher concentrations this year, which can be a sign of increased pollution, but also is related to the increased sensitivity of our analysis."
Fulfer especially expressed concern about the high levels detected closer to shore. "This is really concerning because coastal areas are so vital for fisheries production and the blue economy,” she noted. “All these microplastics are available for organisms to ingest, which could then impact our health."
Polyethylene was the most abundant chemical found in samples. It's the most commonly produced plastic and is present in items like single-use packaging, plastic bags, and bottles. Some states and other governments have begun to address the root of the problem by banning single-use plastics including those made out of polystyrene foam.
Clean oceans start with us, and plastic pollution will only harm us down the road.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/2RzQm3D
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