Microplastics in Marine Environments

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Researches still can't agree on whether pollutent carrying microplastics are a significant problem. One hatchling, only nine centimeters long, had forty two pieces of plastic in its gastro intestinal tract. Fibres seem to be a particular problem compared with spheres. Zooplancton among the smallest marine organisms grow more slowly and reproduce less successfully in the presence of microplastics. The animal's eggs are smaller and less likely to hatch.

Scientists are trying to figure out whether these pervasive plastic specks are dangerous.

Wherever they look – from the bottom of oceans to the top of mountains – researchers are uncovering tiny specks of plastic, known as microplastics.

Scientists are trying to understand the potential impacts of ingesting these pervasive plastics but early results are ambiguous, as some experiments might not reflect the diversity of microplastics that exist in the real world.

This is an audio version of our feature: Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?

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