0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Comment on “The missing ocean plastic sink: Gone with the rivers”

Science 2022 3 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 35 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Xiangfei Sun, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Xiangfei Sun, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Xiangfei Sun, Xiangfei Sun, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Xiangfei Sun, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Xiangfei Sun, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Xiangfei Sun, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Lei Mai Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Eddy Y. Zeng, Lei Mai Lei Mai

Summary

This commentary challenges the methodology used by Weiss et al. to calculate a residence time of approximately 2.4 years for floating microplastic stock at the ocean surface, arguing the estimate is fundamentally flawed due to an unreliable river microplastic flux input used as the divisor. Researchers contend that dividing a published oceanic plastic stock by a questionable river flux estimate yields a residence time figure that does not accurately reflect ocean surface plastic dynamics.

Study Type Environmental

Weiss et al . (Reports, 2 July 2021, p. 107) incorrectly conclude that the residence time for floating microplastic stock at the ocean surface is ~2.4 years. We contend that this conclusion is fundamentally flawed, because the residence time is obtained through dividing a published oceanic stock of plastic debris by a doubtable river microplastic flux estimated by the authors.

Sign in to start a discussion.

Share this paper