The oceans of the planet are still a mystery to us the primary land dwellers. Some researchers say that it is actually just one large connected global ocean, while others prefer to refer to individual seas as first recognized formally in 1928 with political connotations. The truth is that even today we have barely scratched the surface of the oceans even as studies into its depths continue.

At the Australian University of New South Wales there is a study being undertaken to propose a new map of the oceans set apart from the geopolitical boundaries which are today considered the norm. Professor Gary Froyland, a mathematician and Oceanographer Erik van Sebille are also considering the pollution in the oceans a major problem.

They have records to show the plastic and other debris in different parts of the global ocean is growing at an alarming rate. They also have a way to analyse how the litter ended up where it did following ocean currents. Guess how this science project helps? It allows you to pinpoint the origin of the litter and thereby identify the polluting country from where it comes.

Now that we finally have a viable means of identifying which country is responsible for dumping plastic and debris into the oceans, perhaps we can prevail on them to not pollute the ocean anymore.