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How does improperly discarded plastic travel from land into oceans?
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plastic pollution
A volunteer collecting plastic nurdles (pellets less than 0.2 inch [0.5 centimeter] in diameter) at Barreiras Beach, Corrubedo, Spain.
Improperly discarded plastic travels from land to the ocean through a variety of pathways, as the ocean acts as the downstream receiving body for most terrestrial locations. Because much of this waste is not properly managed in landfills or recycling centers, it enters the environment through several mechanisms:12
- Environmental Transport: Litter dropped on the ground or left in open areas is frequently transported by wind, rainfall, and stormwater runoff into drainage systems, rivers, and eventually the sea.12
- Direct Discharge: Plastic waste can enter aquatic environments through industrial facilities, wastewater outfalls, or the intentional dumping of solid waste into bodies of water, particularly in regions lacking adequate waste management infrastructure.12
- Inland Waterways: Rivers serve as major conduits, transporting plastic debris from both urban and rural areas into the ocean.12
Once in the environment, these plastics persist because they are largely nonbiodegradable. Over time, they are broken down by sunlight and wave action into microplastics, which are then distributed throughout marine ecosystems. Preventing this pollution requires both improved waste management and proactive efforts to stop plastics from entering the environment at the source.3412