Researchers have discovered that microplastics are more prevalent farther from shore than along India's eastern coastline. Microplastic concentrations were found to be higher at roughly 10 km into the sea than at 3 km from the coast when experts from the National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) examined pollution levels along 1,200 km of the east coast.

The results could have significant effects on the environment and human health. When plastics break down and deteriorate, greenhouse gasses are released, causing climate change. Additionally, they can raise sea levels and increase sea surface temperature, endangering marine habitats and ocean life.

The NCCR study found an average concentration of 53,000 particles per sq km in the water and between 110 and 308 particles per kg of sediment. More than 50% of the particles found, particularly in the offshore area, were less than 1mm in size, making them easily digestible by fish and other aquatic lifeforms.

On the bright side, let's take a look at social enterprises and non-governmental organizations that are leading the way to prevent plastic pollution and focus on marine conservation. 

Evo & Co

Evo & Co., an Indonesian start-up, aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic, by offering companies and consumers alternatives that are sustainable use. They have creatively turned to one of Indonesia’s farmed exports as a plastic alternative: seaweed.

Evoware is putting the planet first in numerous ways by using seaweed. They use edible, compostable, and biodegradable seaweed for their packaging, to start with. In this way, all of the packagings can be used up without damaging the environment, even if it is thrown away.

Secondly, the planted seaweed can absorb carbon dioxide in the water and slow the effects of ocean acidification. Seaweed also releases oxygen into the water to support life, and help to store the carbon dioxide that we humans produce.

Seastainable 

Seastainable, a social enterprise here in Singapore promotes the use of sustainable items. With a passion for marine conservation, the organization puts 50% of its profits into supporting marine conservation initiatives in Singapore, and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Seastainable also offers a selection of reusable and zero-waste straws, cups, bowls and more to reduce the use of single-use plastic and its resulting pollution.

The Ocean Cleanup 

Based in the Netherlands, The Ocean Cleanup wants to get rid of the plastic plaguing the oceans using state-of-the-art technology. The Ocean Cleanup was founded by Boyan Slat in 2013 when he was just 18 years old. With a team of talented, passionate and experienced people, The Ocean Cleanup is not afraid to come up with bold ideas to remove plastics from our seas. 

When their first cleanup system was deployed in 2018, it captured the world’s attention. When the system broke, news outlets all over the world were quick to report it. Although the setbacks were huge, The Ocean Cleanup team continued to work to analyze and fix the problem of plastic retention and the crack in the original system. 

To date, the organization tests new systems and continues its efforts to clean up the ocean.