Environment Alert: The 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch,' 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, is at least 4 times as big as scientists thought, survey shows

The estimated 79,000 tons have been carried by global ocean currents to a massive ocean tract between Hawaii and California, according to a new sea and aerial survey. The pollution, which can poison ocean life, is increasing exponentially, as new land-based studies project humans are increasing the rate at which they dump plastic into the ocean. The Pacific Garbage Patch is not a single island or mass but rather an area three times the size of France.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Environment Alert Thu, Mar 22, 2018, 10:00 AM     The 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch,' 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, is at least 4 times as big as scientists thought, survey shows The estimated 79,000 tons have been carried by global ocean currents to a massive ocean tract between Hawaii and California, according to a new sea and aerial survey. The pollution, which can poison ocean life, is increasing exponentially, as new land-based studies project humans are increasing the rate at which they dump plastic into the ocean. The Pacific Garbage Patch is not a single island or mass but rather an area three times the size of France. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071