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Ocean Plastic May Last Over a Century, Researchers Warn

10/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London warn ocean plastic could persist for over a century.
The study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, explains buoyant plastics slowly degrade.
They fragment into microplastics that hitch a ride with marine snow, remaining at the surface after 100 years.
The findings emphasize that stopping plastic production is crucial for effective cleanup.

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Story summary

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London warn ocean plastic could persist for over a century.
The study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, explains buoyant plastics slowly degrade.
They fragment into microplastics that hitch a ride with marine snow, remaining at the surface after 100 years.
The findings emphasize that stopping plastic production is crucial for effective cleanup.