BBCcom_Content_Index_for_December_18_2017.txt
'It's a way of the sea returning the trash to us' Why plastic-filled 'Neptune balls' are washing up on beaches.txt
'It's a way of the sea returning the trash to us': Why plastic-filled 'Neptune balls' are hot pokerwashing up on beachesSkip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewsletters'It's a way of the sea returning the trash to us': Why plastic-filled 'Neptune balls' are washing up on beaches2 September 2025ShareSaveFrankie AdkinsShareSaveGetty ImagesAs tiny pieces of plastic clog our oceans, natural meadows of seagrass are bundling up microplastics and spitting them back out onto beaches in the form of "Neptune balls".Neptune balls, or Posidonia oceanica, are round, compact bundles of seagrass mostly found in the Mediterranean Sea. For centuries, Posidonia has been used for packaging, bedding and even insulation for houses.But researchers from the University of Barcelona have found these spongy balls are spontaneously performing another function: mopping up ocean plastic from the seafloor.In the ocean, microplastics – particles under 5mm in size – often originate from items such as plastic bags, bottles and fishing nets. These plastic fragments can harm our health, affecting everything from bone and brain function to hormones (read more about how microplastics affect our health).Although most plastic pollution originates on land, the ocean – including seagrass meadows – acts as a sink.Anna Sanchez-VidalThe densely packed seagrass strands in Neptune balls trap bits of plastic from the sea (Credit: Anna Sanchez-Vidal)Posidonia leaves slow water down as it flows past, says Anna Sanchez-Vidal, lead author of the Barcelona study. "There are fewer currents in seagrass meadows, so they trap carbon and sediment, and act as a refuge for biodiversity."But these swaying underwater meadows also accumulate higher concentrations of plastic. Each year, between 1.15 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastic flows from rivers to the sea. If a river enters the sea where Posidonia is growing, some of that plastic becomes caught, and accumulates. But not all of this plastic stays trapped in swaying Posidonia meadows.Each autumn, Posidonia sheds its leaves. These fibrous strands, rich in the tough organic polymer lignin, tangle together in dense balls. "As they move, they transport plastic intertwined within the fibres," says Sanchez-Vidal. The researchers estimated that seagrass meadows may catch nearly 900 million plastic fragments in the Mediterranean every year.Getty ImagesLiving Posidonia meadows are a fertile habitat for ocean life (Credit: Getty Images)In 2018 and 2019, Sanchez-Vidal's team examined seagrass balls washed up on four beaches on the island of Mallorca, Spain. On the shores of Sa Marina, Son Serra de Marina, Costa dels Pins and Es Peregons Petits, they found plastic debris in half of the loose seagrass leaf samples, up to 600 fragments per kilogram (2.2lb) of leaves.Only 17% of Neptune balls contained plastic, but where it was found it was densely packed – nearly 1,500 pieces per kilogram. Tighter bundled balls were more effective at trapping plastic."After our paper was published, a lot of people started sending me [pictures of] monster Neptune balls," says Sanchez-Vidal. These are balls that capture larger and more visible pieces of plastic."Sometimes they had sanitary towels, tampons, wet wipes – things with a lot of cellulose, so they sink," she explains: "No, I didn't really want to receive those pictures from everybody," she jokes.Getty ImagesNeptune balls are natural products of Posidonia seagrass meadows, but the plastic inside some of them comes from human pollution (Credit: Getty Images)Turbulent seas, particularly during storms and tidal patterns, can dislodge Neptune balls from the seafloor, says Sanchez-Vidal. Some Neptune balls drift into deeper waters, while others wash up on the shore."We say it's a way of the sea returning the trash to us that was never meant to be on the seafloor," says Sanchez-Vidal.But Sanchez-Vidal stresses that Neptune balls are not a solution to the ocean's plastic problem. "We've never seen them as a remediation, or as a way to clean the trash from the sea," she says.She urges anyone who finds Neptune balls to leave them where they are – on the beach or in the ocean. "The balls bring humidity and nutrients to the beach. If we throw them away, we're destroying this emergent beach ecosystem," she warns.Getty ImagesSeagrasses worldwide are retreating due to human pollution and development (Credit: Getty Images)This is at a time when seagrasses are in global decline. One study found that the global area covered by seagrass had declined by 29% since the late 19th Century. Seagrasses are at risk from poor water quality, coastline development, invasive species, rising ocean temperatures, and rising sea levels. In the eastern Mediterranean, Posidonia oceanica is facing a persistent and increasing threat from heatwaves and industrial pollution. A related species in Australia, Posidonia australis, is also in decline despite conservation efforts.More like this:? The world's oceans are changing colour? These are some of LA's favourite beaches. But they're fake? The mysterious items washing up on beachesBut in the Mediterranean, local efforts are still racing to restore seagrass, such as Red Eléctrica's Marine Forest in the Bay of Pollen?a, Spain, and the citizen scientist project Posidonia Gardeners in Sicily and Malta.Seagrass meadows provide vital ecosystem services – improving water quality, absorbing carbon dioxide, protecting coastlines, and serving as nurseries and refuges for marine species. "But it's also not a solution to plant seagrass meadows everywhere to act as filters for plastic," Sanchez-Vidal adds.Instead, she says, the real solution lies at the source. "We just need to prevent plastic from entering the sea – and that means reducing plastic production."--For essential climate news and hopeful developments to your inbox, sign up to the Future Earth newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week.For more science, technology, environment and health stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.PlasticsOceansPollutionEnvironmentPlantWaterEarthFeaturesWatchSeven images that transformed our world viewWatch how the maps and images of our planet from above have changed over the last two millennia.30 Apr 2025EarthTen striking images of an Earth scarred by humansFrom a shipwrecking yard in Bangladesh to a river of iron dioxide in Canada, a deep dive in Ed Burtynsky's work.16 Apr 2025EarthRaja the elephant asking for a road tollIn Sri Lanka, a charming elephant cheekily halts traffic for treats. 29 Jan 2025EarthInside the hidden world of rhino romanceWatch two rhinoceroses involved in a game of 'kiss and chase'.24 Jan 2025EarthA mother tiger on a fierce hunt to feed her cubsWhile her three offspring take a leisurely bath, this Bengal tiger mother must find food for the entire family.16 Jan 2025EarthHow foxes outsmart world's heaviest raptor in quest for foodWatch red foxes challenge the Steller's sea eagle, the world's heaviest raptor, as they search for food in Japan.8 Jan 2025EarthMum saves baby seal with a clever trickWatch as David Attenborough reveals the unique behaviour of a mother seal to protect her pup in icy waters.31 Dec 2024EarthMountain goats: A death-defying battle to mateWatch the world's largest species of goat fight for the right to mate, teetering on the edge of perilous drops.17 Dec 2024EarthThe near miraculous escape of a cave swiftThe Tam Nam Lod Cave is home to over a quarter of a million swifts. But there are hidden dangers.12 Dec 2024EarthMeet the mudskipper: The remarkable fish that lives on landThe mudskipper is a fish that can leap with a flick of its tail. Watch a particularly agile specimen in action.3 Dec 2024EarthWatch the dramatic escape of tiny fish from deadly sharksThe Moorish idol, a dramatic little fish with dazzling stripes, adopts a clever strategy to save its life.27 Nov 2024EarthEarth tides: Why our planet's crust has tides tooHow do they differ from the ocean? A geophysicist breaks it down for us.28 Sep 2024Weather & scienceInside the world's largest hurricane simulatorAt the University of Miami, a large indoor air-sea interaction test facility measures the impact of storms.27 Aug 2024EarthIn Australia, sea lions help researchers map the ocean floorResearchers in Australia put cameras on sea lions' backs to help them map the elusive ocean floor.21 Aug 2024EarthThe deadly plants hiding in your gardenThe Poison Garden at the Alnwick Garden has around 100 toxic, intoxicating, and narcotic plants.20 Aug 2024NatureThe scientists drilling into an active Icelandic volcanoScientists are preparing to drill into the rock of an Icelandic volcano to learn more about how volcanoes behave.18 Aug 2024Climate solutionsEarth's spectacular and remote 'capital' of lightningWith storms occurring between 140 to 160 nights a year, it's no wonder the area is a world record holder.6 Aug 2024World of wonderWhy is the Seine only 'kind of clean'?Despite big investments, the river is still unsafe after heavy rains. Did all the money go down the drain?2 Aug 2024EarthListen to the secret coda of whalesNever before observed intricacies in sperm whale vocalisations reveal structures similar to human language.31 Jul 2024EarthCould wind power be the future of shipping?A quick look at the viable options that could make shipping more sustainable. 8 May 2024EarthMore from the BBC3 hrs agoCorals growing on North Sea oil rigs rehomed on artificial reefThey have been growing on subsea structures for decades but are now under threat as old platforms are decommissioned.3 hrs ago8 hrs agoWhere we might find aliens in the next decadeForget UFOs and alien abductions, here's how scientists are really looking for life on other worlds.8 hrs ago12 hrs agoPeru's new city unearthed from the desertThe discovery of Pe?ico in Peru's Supe Valley is reshaping our understanding of the Caral civilisation – a peaceful society that survived climate catastrophe 4,000 years ago.12 hrs ago15 hrs agoGolf course swings into action to protect newtsMelrose Golf Club buys new equipment to ensure that its members and the newts can live in harmony.15 hrs ago15 hrs agoHow Japanese tiny forests are sweeping ScotlandGrown using the Miyawaki method, fast-growing miniature forests in the middle of cities can bring surprisingly big benefits for people and the environment.15 hrs agoBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBritBoxBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoBBC.com Help & FAQsContent IndexCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
