Microplastics in the Ocean

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to the world's oceans today. While large pieces of plastic like bottles and bags are a clear and visible problem, there is another hidden danger: microplastics. These are tiny pieces of plastic that are smaller than five millimeters long, making them very difficult to clean up.

Microplastics enter the ocean in several ways. Some are created when larger plastic items break apart in the sun and waves over many years. ( 1 ), many microplastics come from the clothes we wear. When we wash clothes made of synthetic materials, tiny plastic fibers wash down the drain and eventually reach the sea.

Because these plastics are so small, fish and seabirds often eat them by mistake. ( 2 ), plastics naturally absorb harmful chemicals from the ocean water. When marine animals eat the plastic, these toxic chemicals enter their bodies. Scientists warn that this problem will only get worse unless we take global action to ( 3 ) our daily use of plastics.

Microplastics in the Ocean

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to the world's oceans today. While large pieces of plastic like bottles and bags are a clear and visible problem, there is another hidden danger: microplastics. These are tiny pieces of plastic that are smaller than five millimeters long, making them very difficult to clean up.

Microplastics enter the ocean in several ways. Some are created when larger plastic items break apart in the sun and waves over many years. ( 1 ), many microplastics come from the clothes we wear. When we wash clothes made of synthetic materials, tiny plastic fibers wash down the drain and eventually reach the sea.

Because these plastics are so small, fish and seabirds often eat them by mistake. ( 2 ), plastics naturally absorb harmful chemicals from the ocean water. When marine animals eat the plastic, these toxic chemicals enter their bodies. Scientists warn that this problem will only get worse unless we take global action to ( 3 ) our daily use of plastics.