The article examines the accumulation and fate of plastic debris in the open ocean, highlighting the significant concern over the rising pollution. Using data from various sources, including the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, regional surveys, and published reports, the authors show that plastic debris is concentrated in convergence zones of the five subtropical gyres, with a global load estimated to be between 7,000 and 35,000 tons. The size distribution of floating plastic debris reveals a peak in abundance around 2 mm, with a pronounced gap below 1 mm, suggesting size-selective sinks that remove millimeter-sized fragments. The authors propose that these sinks may involve nano-fragmentation, transfer through food webs, and ballasting processes. The study also discusses the potential mechanisms of plastic removal, such as shore deposition, nano-fragmentation, biofouling, and ingestion by marine organisms. The findings highlight the urgent need to understand the ultimate pathways and fate of missing plastic debris to address the impacts of plastic pollution in the ocean.The article examines the accumulation and fate of plastic debris in the open ocean, highlighting the significant concern over the rising pollution. Using data from various sources, including the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, regional surveys, and published reports, the authors show that plastic debris is concentrated in convergence zones of the five subtropical gyres, with a global load estimated to be between 7,000 and 35,000 tons. The size distribution of floating plastic debris reveals a peak in abundance around 2 mm, with a pronounced gap below 1 mm, suggesting size-selective sinks that remove millimeter-sized fragments. The authors propose that these sinks may involve nano-fragmentation, transfer through food webs, and ballasting processes. The study also discusses the potential mechanisms of plastic removal, such as shore deposition, nano-fragmentation, biofouling, and ingestion by marine organisms. The findings highlight the urgent need to understand the ultimate pathways and fate of missing plastic debris to address the impacts of plastic pollution in the ocean.