Microplastics in the surface ocean, 1950 to 2050

Microplastics are buoyant plastic materials smaller than 0.5 centimeters in diameter. Future global accumulation in the surface ocean is shown under three plasticemissions scenarios: (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 plasticproduction rates.