Plastics in the marine environment
KL Law�- Annual review of marine science, 2017 - annualreviews.org
Plastics contamination in the marine environment was first reported nearly 50 years ago,
less than two decades after the rise of commercial plastics production, when less than 50
million metric tons were produced per year. In 2014, global plastics production surpassed
300 million metric tons per year. Plastic debris has been detected worldwide in all major
marine habitats, in sizes from microns to meters. In response, concerns about risks to marine
wildlife upon exposure to the varied forms of plastic debris have increased, stimulating new�…
less than two decades after the rise of commercial plastics production, when less than 50
million metric tons were produced per year. In 2014, global plastics production surpassed
300 million metric tons per year. Plastic debris has been detected worldwide in all major
marine habitats, in sizes from microns to meters. In response, concerns about risks to marine
wildlife upon exposure to the varied forms of plastic debris have increased, stimulating new�…