Global plastic pollution in the oceans is almost overwhelming and scientists have just released the most accurate estimate of the massive amount of plastic floating on the planet's oceans.

A scientific team has determined there are around 5.35 trillion plastic pieces weighing about 250,000 tons floating in the oceans today.

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The data was taken from 24 expeditions across sub-tropic regions beginning from 2007 to 2013. Using a computer generated model of the global ocean, a team led by Marcus Eriksen from the Five Gyres Institute will use this pivotal information along with wind data to reduce the massive amount of plastic in global oceans.

Environmentalists say plastic pollution exists in several concentrations around the world's oceans. This study provides a clearer estimate of how much trash is currently destroying marine ecosystems.

When it comes to plastic pollution found in oceans, larger pieces of trash are more common near the coastline while smaller pieces are being migrated to remote areas in the ocean.

As these smaller plastic pieces drift away, they are sucked in by gyres, which are areas that function like a whirlpool. The floating garbage accumulates in these whirlpools due to water and wind currents.

Scientists believe these gyres in the far reaches of the ocean act as garbage shredders that tear down the garbage into smaller pieces, disseminating plastic pieces all over the ocean.

Eriksen said their findings show garbage patches are found in five subtropical gyres. He says the effects of these floating garbage dumps doesn't end on the surface, and can ultimately destroy ocean ecosystems.

Plastic pollution originates from the northern hemisphere. The study revealed that garbage concentrations float off and accumulate in the south of the equator.

These findings suggest that the garbage migrates more quickly through gyres than previously thought and that microplastics the size of 0.19 inches across, sink faster in the north as opposed to the southern hemisphere.

The main cause for concern with this plastic pollution is that this massive amount of garbage isn't just broken down by the gyres but also by ultraviolet light from the sun. This process releases pollutants into the ocean that are consumed by marine wildlife.

This study was published in the online journal, PLOS One.

TagsStudy: Over 250, 000 Tons of Plastic Floating Around Killing the Earth's Oceans, plastic pollution, ocean pollution, gyres, how much garbage are floating in the ocean, oceans world global garbage plastic floating