Study says 270,000 tons of plastic floating in oceans

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

HONOLULU (AP) — A new study estimates nearly 270,000 tons of plastic is floating in the world’s oceans. That’s enough to fill more than 38,500 garbage trucks.

The plastic is broken up into more than 5 trillion pieces, said the study published Wednesday in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

The paper is the latest in a nascent field where scientists are trying to better understand how much of the synthetic material is entering the oceans and how it’s affecting fish, seabirds and the larger marine ecosystem.

The study’s lead author is Markus Eriksen of the 5 Gyres Institute, an organization that aims to reduce plastic in the oceans.

FULL story at link.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This file photo provided by NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center shows debris in Hanauma Bay, Hawaii.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/nation/study-says-tons-of-plastic-floating-in-oceans/article_857bde60-8121-11e4-93ec-cb627c71d448.html

[heaven05]

1. With all the technology

available to the top of the food chain inhabitants responsible for this, isn't there something that can be used on this Connecticut size floating garbage dump? It has taken years to create, it may take years to clan up, but first we have to at least try and start to clean up this disaster..

[turbinetree]

2. Thats the ticket

Dig up more oil to make plastic bottles and such and then have the most smartest entity on the planet destroying the planet because they think they are so intelligent with the plastic design and then to start the vicious cycle of greed all over again by finding more dirty oil to make this product.
Has anyone tasted the difference in milk from plastic container and glass bottle, there is a big taste difference, glass makes the milk taste like milk, while plastic makes the product taste, like it's sitting in an oil by-product.