Context:
The vast dump of plastic waste swirling in the Pacific ocean is now bigger than France, Germany and Spain combined — far larger than previously feared — and is growing rapidly, a study published.
Highlights of the Study:
- Researchers based in the Netherlands used a fleet of boats and aircraft to scan the immense accumulation of bottles, containers, fishing nets and microparticles known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (GPGP) and found an astonishing build-up of plastic waste.
- They found that the dump now contains around 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, posing a dual threat to marine life. Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic smaller than 50mm in size that make up the vast majority of items in the GPGP, can enter the food chain when swallowed by fish.
- The pollutants they contain become more concentrated as they work their way up through the food web.
- The other environmental impact comes from the larger debris, especially the fishing nets.
- These net fragments kill marine life by trapping fish and animals such as turtles in a process known as ‘ghost fishing’. Global plastics production hit 322 million tonnes in 2015, according to the International Organization for Standardization.
About The International Organization for Standardization (ISO):
- It is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations.
- It was one of the first organizations granted general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
- Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial standards. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in 162 countries.
Source:TH & Wiki