WASHINGTON, February, 13. /TASS/. More than 8 million tons of plastic garbage is thrown into the ocean waters each year destroying the rich flora and fauna and polluting beaches and shores, a group of American oceanologists conclude in the results of their scientific research published in the Science magazine.
Having analyzed different statistical data the scientists have come to the conclusion that 3% of the 275 million tons of plastic garbage all over the world gets into seas and oceans. Such ammounts of plastic bags, bottles, toys, wrappers and other objects is enough to chock up the coastal lines of all the continents and islands.
According to the Association for Marine Science in Massachusetts, the amount of plastic garbage can arise up to 9 million tons already this year. In order to stop this process it is necessary to finance the industry of garbage collecting and recycling “particularly in developing countries”.
According to scientists China provides 30% of the 8 million tons of plastics in the oceans and is the first among water polluters. Other main polluters are Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri-Lanka, Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
Among industrially developed countries EU coastal countries are the 18th and the US is the 20th.