80% of all ocean plastics come from more than 1,000 rivers with hotspots in Asia and West Africa, study finds

• A new study finds 1,000 rivers worldwide account for 80% of all ocean plastics
• This debunks previous work that suggested only 10 major rivers contributed
• The latest works also found that small urban rivers dump the most plastics
• South East Asia and West Africa are the main hot spots for plastic emission 

Some 2.7 million metric tons of plastic make their way into the oceans each year and a new study finds the trove of trash comes from 1,656 rivers.

The findings debunk previous research that suggested 90 percent of ocean plastics came just 10 major river systems – the latest concludes that the number is 100 times that. 

Several institutions in the Netherlands and one in Germany found these systems contribute to up to 80 percent of all plastics dumped in oceans, with urban areas of South East Asia and West Africa identified as the main hot spots for plastic emission. 

However, the team, working with the non-profit Ocean Cleanup Project, notes that this only accounts for one percent of rivers worldwide, ‘which means solving the problem is feasible.’

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Some 2.7 million metric tons of plastic make their way into the oceans each year and a new study finds the trove of trash comes from 1,656 rivers. The map highlights areas where rivers are dumping the most plastic

Tons of plastic debris makes its way into the oceans every day and as of 2020 there were some 5.25 trillion pieces of waste with 269,000 ton of it floating on the surface.

Scientists worldwide are working tirelessly to uncover how the trash is being distributed and the latest study may have solved the mystery.

The largest contributing country estimated by the model was the Philippines with its 4,840 rivers dumping more than 356,000 metric tons a year.

This was followed by India with 126,513 metric tons a year, Malaysia with 73,098year through 1070 rivers, and China with 70,707 MT year through 1309 river. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yVW-FZls4RA%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1

It was believed that the largest culprits are smaller rivers in urban areas and not large rivers that travel long distances. Now, the 16-mile Pasig River (pictured)  in the Philippines is now considered a greater contributor to ocean plastics 

The largest contributing country estimated by our model was the Philippines with its 4,840 rivers dumping more than 356,000 metric tons a year. Pictured is the Meycuayan (A,C) and Tullahan river (B,D)basins and river network in Manila, Philippines

It was believed that the largest culprits are smaller rivers in urban areas and not large rivers that travel long distances.

Now, the 16-mile Pasig River in the Philippines is now considered a greater contributor to ocean plastics than the Yantze that was once named the most plastic-polluted river. 

‘It’s not the great rivers of the world [doing the polluting],’ Ocean Cleanup Project CEO, Boyan Slat, says in the video.

‘It’s sort of smaller rivers through cities in rising economies; that’s where the plastic pollution hotspots of the world can be found.’ 

These more than 1,000 rivers account for nearly 80 percent of global annual emissions, ranging between 0.8 million and 2.7 million metric tons per year, with small urban rivers among the most polluting

The non-profit designed a tool to track plastic flowing into the oceans, which shows these more than 1,000 rivers account for nearly 80 percent of global annual emissions, ranging between 0.8 million and 2.7 million metric tons per year, with small urban rivers among the most polluting. 

Researchers found three main drivers along routes: wind and various forms of precipitation that move plastics from one area to another; the way land is used and its geography—different types of terrain can make it easier for plastics to be moved by natural forces; and the distance plastics have to travel to get to the sea, Phys.org reports.  

WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS AND HOW DO THEY GET INTO OUR WATERWAYS?

Microplastics are plastic particles measuring less than five millimetres (0.2 inches).

They have hit the headlines over recent years, as improper disposal has resulted in tonnes of waste making its way into the ocean.

Each year, tonnes of plastic waste fails to get recycled and dealt with correctly, which can mean they end up in marine ecosystems. 

Although it’s unclear exactly how they end up in the water, microplastics may enter through simple everyday wear and tear of clothing and carpets.

Tumble dryers may also be a source, particularly if they have a vent to the open air. 

Plastics don’t break down for thousands of years and it is estimated that there are already millions of items of plastic waste in the oceans. This number is expected to rise. 

Studies have also revealed 700,000 plastic fibres could be released into the atmosphere with every washing machine cycle.

Current water systems are unable to effectively filter out all microplastic contamination, due to the varying size of particles.  

The amount of plastic rubbish in the world’s oceans will outweigh fish by 2050 unless the world takes drastic action to further recycle, a report released in 2016 revealed.

More than 80 per cent of the world’s tap water is contaminated with plastic, research published in September 2017 revealed.

The US has the highest contamination rate at 93 per cent, followed by Lebanon and India, experts from the University of Minnesota found.

France, Germany and the UK have the lowest levels, however, they still come in at 72 per cent.

Overall, 83 per cent of water samples from dozens of nations around the world contain microplastics.

Scientists warn microplastics are so small they could penetrate organs. 

Bottled water may not be a safer alternative, as scientists have found contaminated samples.

Creatures of all shapes and sizes have been found to have consumed the plastics, whether directly or indirectly.

Previous research has also revealed microplastics absorb toxic chemicals, which are then released in the gut of animals.

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