Tens of tens of millions of tons of nanoplastics detected adrift in North Atlantic
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jul 14, 2025
A groundbreaking examine by researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Analysis (NIOZ) and Utrecht College has revealed that the North Atlantic Ocean holds an estimated 27 million tons of nanoplastics-more than the overall quantity of bigger plastic particles in all of the world’s oceans.
The examine, which marks the primary quantitative estimate of oceanic nanoplastics, was made doable by a collaborative effort combining oceanographic and atmospheric experience. “This estimate reveals that there’s extra plastic within the type of nanoparticles floating on this a part of the ocean, than there’s in bigger micro- or macroplastics floating within the Atlantic and even all of the world’s oceans!” mentioned NIOZ researcher and Utrecht College professor Helge Niemann.
Utrecht grasp’s scholar Sophie ten Hietbrink contributed to the analysis aboard the RV Pelagia. Over 4 weeks, she collected water samples from 12 websites stretching from the Azores to the European continental shelf. Utilizing nice filtration and mass spectrometry, her workforce recognized plastic molecules smaller than one micrometer.
Earlier studies had confirmed the presence of nanoplastics in seawater however lacked quantifiable information. Niemann attributes the present examine’s success to collaboration with atmospheric scientist Dusan Materic, whose insights enabled correct extrapolation throughout the North Atlantic.
Ten Hietbrink referred to as the findings “a stunning quantity,” highlighting their function in resolving the thriller of the planet’s “lacking plastic”-unaccounted particles believed misplaced however now proven to persist in microscopic kind.
The workforce additionally explored how nanoplastics enter ocean waters. Daylight breaks down bigger plastics into smaller fragments, whereas rivers and atmospheric deposition-including rain and airborne dust-serve as extra sources.
Niemann warned of great organic implications. “It’s already identified that nanoplastics can penetrate deep into our our bodies. They’re even present in mind tissue,” he mentioned. Their presence all through marine ecosystems, from microbes to high predators, requires pressing investigation into ecological impacts.
Future analysis will intention to determine plastic sorts like polyethylene and polypropylene, which can have gone undetected attributable to molecular interference. Researchers additionally plan to evaluate whether or not related contamination ranges exist in different oceans.
Regardless of the startling discovery, Niemann careworn that cleanup just isn’t possible. “The nanoplastics which might be there, can by no means be cleaned up,” he mentioned. “So an essential message from this analysis is that we must always not less than stop the additional air pollution of the environment with plastics.”
Analysis Report:Nanoplastic concentrations throughout the North Atlantic
Associated Hyperlinks
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Analysis
Our Polluted World and Cleansing It Up
