New research shows that most of the plastic we can see in the Atlantic Ocean has already broken down into tiny pieces called nanoplastics. These particles are so small that they are measured in billionths of a meter.
What the Scientists Discovered
Helge Niemann, a geochemist, says that there is more nanoplastic floating in the North Atlantic than all the larger plastic pieces we can see in the world’s oceans combined. He received a €3.5 million grant to study these tiny particles and learn what happens to them.
How the Data Was Collected
Sophie ten Hietbrink, a master’s student, spent four weeks on the research ship RV Pelagia. The vessel travelled from the Azores to the European continental shelf, stopping at 12 spots to collect water samples.
Each sample was filtered to catch anything bigger than one micrometer. The remaining material, now full of nanoplastics, was dried and heated. In a lab at Utrecht University, scientists used mass spectrometry to identify the types of plastic present.
First Real Estimate of Ocean Nanoplastics
Earlier studies only proved that nanoplastics existed in seawater. This is the first time researchers have produced a solid estimate of how much is out there.
By applying their measurements to the whole North Atlantic, the team calculated that about 27 million tons of nanoplastics are floating in this region alone.
Where the Tiny Plastics Come From
Big pieces of plastic break down over time when sunlight and waves wear them away. Rivers also carry plastic fragments from land into the sea.
Air can move nanoplastics too. They can fall with rain or settle directly on the water’s surface through dry deposition.
Why It Matters
Nanoplastics are small enough to enter living organisms. Researchers have already found them in brain tissue, showing they can travel deep inside bodies.
Because they are everywhere in the ocean, these particles can move up food chains—from tiny microbes to fish and eventually to people. The full impact on ecosystems and human health is still unknown.
What Is Still Unclear
The study did not detect some common plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, in the smallest size range. This could be due to interference from other molecules.
Scientists also want to know if other oceans contain similar amounts of nanoplastic. Early signs suggest they might, but more research is needed.
Can We Clean It Up?
Because nanoplastics are so tiny and spread out, removing them from the ocean is practically impossible.
Experts say the best hope is to stop more plastic from entering the sea before it breaks down into these invisible particles.