Examining plastics exposed to sunlight (IMAGE) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Caption WHOI Postdoctoral scientist Taylor Nelson (Left) and PhD student Anna Walsh examining plastics exposed to sunlight in WHOI's outdoor experimental facility. A new study finds that sunlight can break down marine plastic into tens of thousands of chemical compounds, at least ten-fold more complex than previously understood. Credit Photo Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Usage Restrictions With proper photo credit and caption. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.