Listen
Archive
2013
January
February
March
April
May
June
2012
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2011
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2010
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2009
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2008
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2007
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Subscribe
Aug. 20, 2010
Plastics at Sea
Click 
to enlarge images
to enlarge images
|
|
Tweet |
| Scientists are trying to understand what goes on in and around floating patches of plastic debris in the world's oceans. Results from a 22 year investigation into floating plastic garbage were published this week in the journal Science. The researchers looked at the physics behind the plastic accumulation, its concentration, and biological activity in and around the debris. Interestingly, the researchers found somewhat less plastic than they anticipated. We'll talk to one of the authors of the report about the findings. |
Produced by Flora Lichtman, Correspondent and Managing Editor, Video
Guests
-
Kara Lavender Law
Oceanography Faculty Scientist
Sea Education Association
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
FEATURED READING
Scatter, Adapt, and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction
by Annalee Newitz
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED BLOG POSTS
- Their World Is Oysters
A trip to a shellfish hatchery in Washington reveals a bustling operation.
- Putting the 'Art' in Arthropod
High school students blend science, art, and arthropods.
- Mars Road Trip, Bird Penises (or Lack Thereof), and More
Each week we’ll round up links to science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our ...
- Surviving the End of the World (As We Know It)
Another mass extinction on Earth is inevitable. So let's get on with life.
Discussion