Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Airborne microplastic particles detected in the remote marine atmosphere

Miri Trainic, et al., Nature Plastics & Pollution

The ubiquity of AMP from terrestrial sources, and the ubiquity of MP in the world’s oceans raise the question whether AMP are present in the remote marine atmosphere. We searched for marine AMP during the Tara Pacific expedition, a 2.5 year research project that investigates coral reefs and plankton communities.

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Water pollution by plastics and microplastics: A review of technical solutions from source to sea

Nikiema, J. et al., UNEP Plastics & Pollution

With a focus on wastewater, the publication presents a range of solutions to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution from the source to the sea. It also encourages policymakers and practitioners to set priorities and select those that are more cost-effective and suitable for their local context. Finally, it stresses the importance of having technical solutions in addition to appropriate legislation, economic instruments, education, and awareness that force real change on the ground.

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Water pollution by plastics and microplastics: A review of technical solutions from source to sea

IWMI and CGIAR, UN Environment Programme Plastics & Pollution

From source to sea, our waters are contaminated by a plastics scourge. A new study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) offers a number of technological solutions aimed at tackling one of the world’s most pressing issues.

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Arctic Report Card: Update for 2020

Thoman, R.L. et al., NOAA Arctic Program

The Arctic Report Card (ARC) provides an annual update on the state of the Arctic's climate and environment as well as highlights of Arctic science news of the past year. ARC2020 features 16 essays, 11 of which provide updates on a wide range of Arctic science topics, from the past year's air temperatures and sea ice conditions to the latest in bowhead whale research.

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Amazon’s Plastic Problem Revealed

Oceana Plastics & Pollution

How Amazon is flooding our communities, environment, and oceans with hundreds of millions of pounds of plastic packaging and how they can stop.

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NOAA Report on the U.S. Marine Economy

Office for Coastal Management, NOAA Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

These reports examine the critically important economic contributions of the oceans and Great Lakes to the marine economy of the United States. 

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Global human-made mass exceeds all living biomass

Emily Elhacham et al., Nature Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

Here we quantify the human-made mass, referred to as ‘anthropogenic mass’, and compare it to the overall living biomass on Earth, which currently equals approximately 1.1 teratonnes. 

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Synthesis of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastics for environmental studies

Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh et al., Nature: Communications Material Plastics & Pollution

Available analytical methods cannot detect nanoplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations in complex matrices such as biological tissues. Here, we describe a one-step polymerization method, allowing direct radiolabeling of a sulfonate end-capped nano-sized polystyrene (nPS; proposed as a model nanoplastic particle representing negatively charged nanoplastics).

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Plastic pollution is killing marine megafauna, but how do we prioritize policies to reduce mortality?

Lauren Roman, et al., The Society for Conservation Biology Plastics & Pollution

Pollution by plastic and other debris is a problem affecting the world's oceans and is increasing through time. The problem is so large that prioritizing solutions to effect meaningful change may seem overwhelming to the public and policy makers.

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Human Health and Ocean Pollution

Philip J. Landrigan et al., Annals of Global Health Plastics & Pollution

The purpose of this review is to examine the impacts of ocean pollution on human health and well-being, identify gaps in knowledge, project future trends, and offer scientifically based guidance for effective interventions.

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Five priorities for a sustainable ocean economy

Jane Lubchenco, Peter M. Haugan & Mari Elka Pangestu, Nature Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

Unleash the ocean’s potential to boost economies sustainably while addressing climate change, food security and biodiversity.

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Message in a bottle: Open source technology to track the movement of plastic pollution

Emily M. Duncan et al., Plos One Plastics & Pollution

Here we undertook a proof of concept study by applying open source tracking technology (both GPS (Global Positing System) cellular networks and satellite technology), which have been successfully used in many animal movement studies, to track the movements of individual plastic litter items (500 ml PET (polyethylene terephthalate) drinks bottles) through the Ganges River system (known as the Ganga in India and the Padma and Meghna in Bangladesh, hereafter known as the Ganges) and the Bay of Bengal.

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The Brand Audit Report 2020

Multiple Authors, Break Free From Plastic Plastics & Pollution

BRANDED Volume III: Demanding Corporate Accountability for Plastic Pollution” is out, revealing the Top 10 Corporate Plastic Polluters of 2020.

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Hydrogen Vs. Natural Gas For Electric Power Generation

ISTJ Investor, Seeking Alpha Energy Solutions

In this article, we are going to focus primarily on the net-zero carbon grid issue; can and will hydrogen replace natural gas for the U.S. electric grid? We will also concentrate on the most likely scenario, the use of utility scale solar power to generate hydrogen by electrolysis.

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Ocean Solutions That Benefit People, Nature and the Economy

Martin R. Stuchtey et al., The Ocean Panel Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

This report lays out the contours of a new relationship between the ocean and humanity. Building on the latest scientific research, analyses and debates from around the world, the report showcases a balanced model for ocean management that simultaneously achieves effective ocean protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity.

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Advancing Science for Sustainable Ocean Business: An Opportunity for the Private Sector

IOC-UNESCO / United Nations Global Compact Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

Outlines the opportunities for the private sector to support the objectives of the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and IOC-UNESCO to raise the awareness of the Decade among private sector partners and draw the private sector’s attention to the key role of ocean science in building the blue economy in a sustainable manner.

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Advancing Science for Sustainable Ocean Business

UNESCO/IOC Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

Outlines the opportunities for the private sector to support the objectives of the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and IOC-UNESCO to raise the awareness of the Decade among private sector partners and draw the private sector’s attention to the key role of ocean science in building the blue economy in a sustainable manner.

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Navigating Plastic Alternatives In a Circular Economy

Hannah Friedman, Closed Loop Ventures Group & Internal Research Lead BrightTalk GreenMoney Plastics & Pollution

As part of our Advancing Circular Systems for Plastics & Packaging Initiative, Closed Loop Partners published Navigating Plastic Alternatives in a Circular Economy to demystify the rapidly growing and evolving landscape of plastic alternatives, with a focus on bio-based plastics, biopolymers and compostable products and packaging.

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Choked, Strangled, Drowned: The Plastics Crisis Unfolding In Our Oceans

Dr. Kimberly Warner, Elizabeth Linske, Patrick Mustain, Melissa Valliant and Christy Leavitt, Oceana Plastics & Pollution

In 2019, news outlets across the world reported on a beaked whale that died after ingesting more than 88 pounds of plastic. It had starved, and its digestive acid, unable to break down the compacted mass filling its stomach, had begun eating away at the animal from the inside out. But not all incidents like this make the news.

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Seaweed Revolution: A Manifesto for a Sustainable Future

Multiple contributors, Lloyd's Register Foundation Fisheries & Aquaculture

This seaweed manifesto is a visionary document outlining how seaweed can contribute to delivering on the sustainable development goals.

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