Shifts in paradigm

Within academia the mal effects of oceanic plastic population began to be recognised during the 1970s.

Plastic pollution literature ranges from describing the effects of beach litter (Gabrieldes et al, 1991) to studies on the sea floor plastic accumulation (Galgani, 1995) and offshore floating debris.

Recently the topics discussed within literature have expanded, due to new discoveries and developments within technology. A Scopus review of the most cited marine pollution articles of the past 5 years shows a paradigm shift towards discussion regarding the size of plastics, with microplastics (those under 1mm) and their effects being explored.

The first 'International workshop on the Occurence, Effects and Fate of Microplastic' occurred in 2008. This was the first international setting in which microplastics were agreed to pose a significant problem to the marine environmental, due to the longevity of the material and potential to be ingested by marine organisms.