Mediterranean Vortex – Clarification Note

In reference to the article we published on plastic contamination in our Mediterranean Sea(you can read it here), University of Siena professors Maria Cristina Fossi and Letizia Marsili sent us a clarifying note:

“In reference to the article that appeared in the Vela newspaper and published on June 9, 2015 regarding the issue of plastic contamination in the Mediterranean Sea, we believe that an alarmist tone was adopted that does not reflect the real situation. Therefore, we did not appreciate that our statements, and references to our research activity, were put in support of an argument that we do not agree with.

We specify that the research we are conducting in the Pelagos Sanctuary (minimally funded by the Ministry of the Environment) for the detection of possible Gyres or eddies is still ongoing, and there are no scientific publications about it yet. Preliminary studies to date have shown that in areas with particular sea currents there are some microplastic clusters, but it has not been determined in what quantities and what effects they may have on the ecosystem. The investigation is still ongoing.”

Thank you for the clarification. We await the completion of the research to report on it as soon as possible.