Page 54 - Ocean Programming 2025

SCIENCE
plastic: the real sea monster

Plastic floats. This is where our story begins. Millions of tonnes of plastic enter the
ocean every year, from rivers and shores, ships and platforms. The world’s
scientists have studied the phenomenon and come to alarming conclusions.

Plastic contains synthetic hormones that are released when it breaks down. Once
in seawater, toxins accumulate in plastic at a density a million times higher than
normal. Fish and seabirds ingest the plastic, and it ultimately winds up in our

bodies.
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Worse still, plastic doesn’t biodegrade. Instead, it becomes trapped in vast Producer YOP
whirlpools of garbage called gyres. A few of these are larger than Spain and Werwiewas 2012
Portugal combined. Medienprduktion

This is what we know so far. But many questions remain. Scientists have noticed
that the amount of plastic in the gyres has remained constant for the past twenty
years, leaving millions of tons unaccounted for. Where has the plastic gone? We
are now on the verge of solving a mystery that might uncover one of the
biggest...