U.K. National Oceanography Centre (NOC) research has revealed for the first time how submarine sediment avalanches can transport microplastics from land into the deep ocean. The study also revealed that these flows are responsible for sorting different types of microplastics–burying some, and moving others vast distances across the seafloor. These findings may help predict the location of future seafloor microplastic
Read more
The Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative (MRECo) assisted with installing a groundbreaking microplastics (MPs) and harmful algal bloom (HAB) sensor called HABStats to track MPs and HABs through the Cape Cod Canal and onward into Buzzards Bay that may have originated in the region around the Deer Island Treatment Plant in Boston. As part of a NOAA Phase II SBIR contract, Dr. Scott
Read more
Researchers have developed a new approach to purging water sources of the microplastics that pollute them without harming nearby microorganisms.
Read more
Research published this month reveals that microplastics often accumulate on the deep sea floor in the same place as diverse and dense marine life communities. This is because the same submarine sediment flows that transfer the oxygen and nutrients needed to sustain life, also transport microplastics from urban rivers to the deep-sea floor via pathways such as submarine canyons. The findings result
Read more
In May, Chile’s House of Representatives voted to approve a ban on plastic bags. “The law will apply to all major retailers within a year, while smaller businesses have two years to comply, The Santiago Times reported. Before entering into force, all retailers are allowed to provide a maximum of only two plastic bags to consumers for their purchases. Climate
Read more
An all-female crew of 24 women are on a 3,000 nmi journey from Hawaii to Vancouver to study microplastics and bring attention to the problem of ocean plastic pollution. The eXXpedition crew is made up of scientists, students, artists, filmmakers, business women, psychologists, actors, ocean activists and sustainability professionals, and novice as well as experienced sailors. The 10th such journey
Read more