In spite of all the publicity surrounding the problems caused by large plastic waste entering the oceans, a new authoritative study suggests that its volume is actually likely to see an almost 300% rise by 2040 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/23/plastic-waste-entering-oceans-triple-20-years-research). Currently, it is estimated, that 11m tonnes of plastics enter the oceans each year but this might well grow to 29m tonnes per annum by 2040. Attempts to reduce this waste have thus far only had marginal effects and real change can only be brought about by governments legislating against the use of plastic packaging as well as being much more proactive and innovative about waste disposal. The situation is likely to be further complicated by a growing dramatic increase in the numbers of discarded face masks and other items as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the study takes no account of the enormous quantities of microplastics, emanating from the wear of tyres on the roads as well as from brake linings, that are blown into the seas each year. This really is the Anthropocene! Some of our future sedimentary rocks may turn out to be largely plastic.
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