Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Study links color changes near Pacific garbage patch to microplastics
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch lies between Hawaii and California, where currents gather floating plastic.
A study found that water in and near the patch became brighter in blue and green light between 2002 and 2022.
Researchers from the University of Bergen compared three satellite records with computer simulations rather than collecting water samples.
Their results suggest tiny microplastics may be causing the color shift, because plastic scatters light in a way that can brighten both colors.
The particles are no bigger than about 0.3 millimeters and are hard to measure at sea.
They may matter because microplastics can enter the ocean food chain at its lowest level, while large-scale cleanup would be difficult.
If the link is confirmed, satellites could help track plastic pollution by observing changes in ocean color.
A study found that water in and near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch grew brighter in blue and green light over 20 years.
The researchers say microplastics are a likely cause of the color change.
They compared three satellite records with computer simulations rather than collecting water samples.
The study suggests ocean color observations could help track some plastic pollution from space.
- Who
- Shea Cheatham, Daniel Koestner and Børge Hamre of the University of Bergen carried out the study.
- What
- The study linked brighter blue and green water near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to microplastics.
- When
- The satellite records covered August 2002 through September 2022.
- Where
- In and near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, between Hawaii and California.
- Why
- The researchers say microplastics may cause the water to brighten in both blue and green light.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The satellite records analyzed by the researchers began.
The Ocean Cleanup surveyed the patch by towing nets 652 times.
The Ocean Cleanup researchers published an estimate of the patch’s area and plastic pieces.
The satellite records analyzed by the researchers ended.
- Researchers
- Shea Cheatham, Daniel Koestner and Børge Hamre
- Study area
- Great Pacific Garbage Patch, between Hawaii and California
- Satellite records
- Three records covering August 2002 through September 2022
- Survey
- The Ocean Cleanup towed nets 652 times in summer 2015
- Estimated patch area
- About 620,000 square miles (1.6 million square kilometers) in a 2018 study
- Plastic pieces
- 1.8 trillion estimated in the 2018 study