Northeastern researchers found in 2021 that an estimated 4 million to 10 million tons of plastic carbon enter the ocean each year. Much of it ends up floating in subtropical currents.

Now, the researchers — led by Northeastern professor Aron Stubbins — have examined what happens when the plastics break down.

“We found that hundreds of chemicals are produced when plastics degrade in sunlight,” says Stubbins, professor of marine and environmental sciences, civil and environmental engineering, and chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern. “This may have an impact on the ocean’s carbon cycle and marine chemistry as well as potential consequences for human health.”

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Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University