Are subsea oil and gas pipelines a previously unrecognized source of ocean microplastics?
Decommissioning pipelines used by the oil and gas industry could result in substantial quantities of microplastics being released into the UK's marine environment annually, a new study suggests.
A new study suggests that decommissioning subsea oil and gas pipelines could release substantial quantities of microplastics into the UK's marine environment each year. Scientists from the University of Plymouth found that over 220,000 tonnes of plastics have been used in pipeline and umbilical coatings in the UK Continental Shelf.
After decommissioning, they estimate that more than half of that plastic—120,000 tonnes—will remain in the ocean. Using various models, the study suggests between 4.5 and 500 tonnes of microplastics could be released into the North Sea annually, a figure more than seven times the annual microbead releases from cosmetics before they were banned in the UK.
This legacy plastic could accumulate over time, potentially affecting marine life across significant areas and adding to the effects of other plastic contamination sources. The research urges integrating the environmental consequences of legacy plastics into decommissioning decisions and planning for new energy-related installations and marine infrastructure.
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