The largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world, known as the 'great Pacific garbage patch', is now three times the size of France, new research has found.

Aerial images reveal 79,000 tonnes of plastic in the huge ocean accumulation zone west of California, a figure 16 times higher than previous estimates.

The results suggest that there is far more plastic in the area than scientists thought, and that microplastics are rapidly accumulating in the region, researchers at the Ocean Cleanup Project found.

The tiny toxic particles get into our food supply when they are eaten by fish and can penetrate our internal organs and carry toxic chemicals into the body.

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The authors caution that more research is needed to quantify sources of ocean plastics in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and to better assess how long plastics stay in this area

The largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world, known as the 'great Pacific garbage patch', is now three times the size of France, new research has found. Pictured is a modelled mass concentration of plastic in the area

Study coauthor and Ocean Cleanup scientist Dr Laurent Lebreton told MailOnline: 'The great Pacific garbage patch (GPGP) is located half way between Hawaii and California.

'It is formed by converging currents at the sea surface and accumulates floating plastic waste.

'Plastic waste may decompose into small fragments, often referred as microplastics that may be harmful to marine life.'

Dr Lebreton and his team at the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, based in Delft, the Netherlands, have conducted the most extensive analysis ever of the GPGP.

The authors found that plastics made up 99.9 per cent of all debris in this part of the ocean.

At least 46 per cent of plastic consisted of fishing nets, and over three quarters of the plastic in this zone was debris larger than 5cm (2 inches), including hard plastics, plastic sheets and film.

Microplastics accounted for eight per cent of the total mass of plastic but 94 per cent of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces floating in the area.

Aerial images (pictured) reveal 79,000 tonnes of plastic in the huge ocean accumulation zone west of California, a figure 16 times higher than previous estimates

The results suggest that there is far more plastic in the area than scientists thought, and that microplastics are rapidly accumulating in the region, researchers at the Ocean Cleanup Project found in a new study. Pictured are a range of large plastuc objects spotted by the team

Researchers at the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, based in Delft, the Netherlands, have conducted the most extensive analysis ever of the GPGP. They used an aircraft to take images (left and right) of plastic spread across the region

Although most large items had broken down into fragments, the researchers were able to identify a small number of objects, including containers, bottles, lids, packaging straps, ropes, and fishing nets.

Dr Lebreton told MailOnline: 'We estimate around 80,000 tonnes of plastic is currently floating inside an area of 1.6 million km2 [620,000 square miles].

'By comparing our results with previous studies we find that plastic pollution has been increasing exponentially since the 1970s when first measurements where reported.'

The authors assessed aerial images alongside data from 652 plastic-collecting net tows carried out by 18 vessels.

The great Pacific garbage patch (GPGP) is located half way between Hawaii and California. The authors assessed aerial images (blue) alongside data from 652 plastic-collecting net tows carried out by 18 vessels (black and grey)

WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS AND HOW DO THEY GET INTO OUR WATERWAYS? Microplastics are plastic particles measuring less than five millimetres (0.2 inches). They have hit the headlines over recent years, as improper disposal has resulted in tonnes of waste making its way into the ocean. Each year, tonnes of plastic waste fails to get recycled and dealt with correctly, which can mean they end up in marine ecosystems. Although it's unclear exactly how they end up in the water, microplastics may enter through simple everyday wear and tear of clothing and carpets. Tumble dryers may also be a source, particularly if they have a vent to the open air. Plastics don't break down for thousands of years and it is estimated that there are already millions of items of plastic waste in the oceans. This number is expected to rise. Studies have also revealed 700,000 plastic fibres could be released into the atmosphere with every washing machine cycle. Current water systems are unable to effectively filter out all microplastic contamination, due to the varying size of particles. The amount of plastic rubbish in the world's oceans will outweigh fish by 2050 unless the world takes drastic action to further recycle, a report released in 2016 revealed. More than 80 per cent of the world's tap water is contaminated with plastic, research published in September 2017 revealed. The US has the highest contamination rate at 93 per cent, followed by Lebanon and India, experts from the University of Minnesota found. France, Germany and the UK have the lowest levels, however, they still come in at 72 per cent. Overall, 83 per cent of water samples from dozens of nations around the world contain microplastics. Scientists warn microplastics are so small they could penetrate organs. Bottled water may not be a safer alternative, as scientists have found contaminated samples. Creatures of all shapes and sizes have been found to have consumed the plastics, whether directly or indirectly. Previous research has also revealed microplastics absorb toxic chemicals, which are then released in the gut of animals. Advertisement

Although most large items had broken down into fragments, the researchers were able to identify a small number of objects, including containers, bottles, lids, packaging straps, ropes, and fishing nets. Pictured is plastic picked up by the team's net-dragging boats

At least 46 per cent of plastic consisted of fishing nets, and over three quarters of the plastic in this zone was debris larger than 5cm (2 inches), including hard plastics, plastic sheets and film

The aerial imaging allowed for a more accurate count and measurement of larger debris than previous studies that used only vessel-based visual surveys.

This could partly explain why their estimates are higher than those made by other researchers.

The differences between estimates could also be attributed to increasing levels of ocean plastic pollution in the area in the time since the previous studies were carried out, particularly following the 2011 Tohoku tsunami.

The authors caution that more research is needed to quantify sources of ocean plastics in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and to better assess how long plastics stay in this area.

Microplastics accounted for eight per cent of the total mass of plastic but 94 per cent of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces floating in the area. Some of the plastic clumps were so large they had to be dragged from the water by a trawler (pictured)