Macroplastics in the surface ocean, 1950 to 2050

Macroplastics are buoyant plastic materials greater 0.5 centimeters in diameter. Future global accumulation in the surface ocean is shown under three plastic emissionsscenarios: (1) emissions to the oceans stop in 2020; (2) they stagnate at 2020 emission rates; or (3) continue to grow until 2050 in line with historical plastic productionrates.

1950205019601980200020202040Emissions level to 2020Emissions stop in 2020Emissions growth to 2050