Millions of plastic particles are being plucked from the water - by seagrass

Feb 5, 2021

Oceans plastic pollution sustainability biodiversity environment

It is estimated that about 60% of the plastic produced since the early 1950s has ended up in either landfill or the natural environment Image: Unsplash/YUCAR FotoGrafik Avatar of user YUCAR FotoGrafik YUCAR FotoGrafik @yucar

Victoria Masterson

Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

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A diagram to show how bundles of seagrass fibre trap and remove plastic particles from the sea

Bundles of seagrass fibre known as ‘Neptune balls’ trap and remove plastic particles from the sea. Image: Scientific Reports

A diagram to show plastic debris in aegagropilae

Half of the loose seagrass leaves were found to contain up to 613 plastic items per kg. In the Neptune balls, 17% contained up to 1,470 plastic items per kg. Image: Scientific Reports

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