Researchers in Japan have developed a novel plastic that completely dissolves in seawater within a matter of days, offering a potential breakthrough in the global fight against ocean pollution. The innovation comes from a collaboration between the RIKEN research institute and the University of Tokyo.

Distressing images of turtles with plastic straws sticking out of their bodies or dead seabirds with stomachs brimming with synthetic trash justifiably attract public attention. 

However, this pollution extends to the microscopic scale from an increasing number of micro and nano plastics. These tiny particles permeate the depths of the oceans, posing significant health risks to marine creatures and humans alike. 

Finally, a bit of good news. Well, sort of. It is not good that plastic finds its way into our oceans and can be detected in just about every sample of water but at least it appears that microplastics do not accumulate in the aquatic food chain.

Scientists have developed a small robotic device that can collect microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas and lakes. 

Plastic collection devices currently in use mostly use drag nets or conveyor belts to retrieve plastic debris from the ocean. These, unfortunately, are unable to collect microplastics, which enter our food chain after they are consumed by marine animals that eventually end up on our dinner plates.

Plastic pollution is a gigantic problem. Our beaches and waters are littered with plastic, marine life ingests it or gets ensnared and particles are entering our food web and organisms. Microplastics are everywhere now.

The report "Plastic Industry Awareness of the Ocean Plastics Problem" is the third in the ongoing Fueling Plastics series. Plastics are pollutants of unique concern, as they do not break down quickly and accumulate in the environment as more is produced. 

As much as 84 percent of the rubbish found on Australian beaches in the past ten years is plastic.

Almost half of all the debris originates from land-based sources (littering, dumping on land, etc), and seven percent from dumping activities at sea.

The remaining 42 percent could not be traced to a specific source as they had broken down into smaller fragments, which would eventually become microplastics.

This was the findings of a study led by University of New South Wales (UNSW) Science, and published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

The popular dive spot is southeast of the Philippine capital, Manila.

BBC Philippine correspondent Howard Johnson joined dive professionals from Anilao Scuba Dive Centre as they resumed diving, following the national lockdown. The dive centre is affiliated to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Green Fins, which promotes sustainable marine tourism in South-East Asia.