After arriving on Easter Island, Chile, the R4WO scientific teams have proceeded onto the first surveys in the South Pacific Garbage Patch on the coasts of island devastated by plastic waste. At the same time, they have also continued with different sociological studies undertaken until now with local populations. The trash vortex in the South Pacific is lesser known than other vortexes, particularly because of its great distance from the coast. Consequently, we only have little scientific data about it. However, its extent seems to be very significant, according to estimations. It was therefore crucial that the R4WO sails there in order to proceed onto assessing the situation. Afflicted, the scientific teams discovered beaches covered with debris. After a painstaking collection work on the beaches of Ovahe and Anakena, the R4WO had indeed been able to sample an impressive number of meso-debris and macro-debris. Read More
