Researchers estimate that millions of tons of plastic waste are missing from the ocean, and say that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Researchers estimate that millions of tons of plastic waste are missing from the ocean, and say that’s not necessarily a good thing.

They believe that marine animals may have eaten the trash.

That, of course, could cause all sorts of problems, including the manmade materials being introduced to the ocean’s food web and ultimately our ecosystem.

As plastics have the ability to absorb all sorts of toxins, pollutants, and contaminants the consequences could eventually prove to be dire.

It’s hoped that the fish are digesting them and passing them as waste, but at this point what’s actually happening to the garbage is unknown.

Some other scenarios about how tons of debris could disappear have been proposed.

One is that small organisms are latching onto the pieces and the added weight has made them sink to the bottom of the waters, which isn’t good either.

Said one scientist, “Sadly, the accumulation of plastic in the deep ocean would be modifying this mysterious ecosystem — the largest of the world — before we can know it.”

Other ideas revolve around the ocean’s movements breaking down the pieces until they are either sub-microscopic or ending up on beaches.