Microplastics in the surface ocean

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.