Microplastics

When plastic enters the ocean, it begins to break down and reduces into nearly invisible particles known as microplastic. Although large plastic debris causes severe harm to aquatic ecosystems, microplastics have a far greater impact on both the health of our planet’s oceans as well as all organisms that consume aquatic organisms. The dangers of microplastics come from both the material that these plastics are composed of and their size. Almost all commercial plastics are composed of several toxic compounds known to cause cancer and death if ingested. Most organisms do not intentionally consume plastic debris, but many aquatic organisms confuse plastics with naturally occurring food, which can cause choking, entanglement, and even death. Microplastics, unlike large plastic debris, can be ingested through the digestive system and respiratory system by unsuspecting aquatic animals. These microplastics, which are less than five millimeters in diameter, exist in the bodies of almost all marine animals, regardless of size or location. These plastics remain in the bodies of fish, plankton, whales, and other organisms for life, typically. As the sun’s Ultraviolet rays continue to break down these microplastics, the issue becomes more and more challenging to find a solution to. As microplastics can be found in the lowest organisms in the aquatic food chain, it is assumed that they exist in all levels of the marine food chain. There is a growing risk for organisms that consume contaminated fish that they will inherit the microplastics inside their prey. The longer we dump plastics into our oceans, the more severe this issue will become, not only for our oceans but for the hundreds of millions of people whose primary food source is aquatic organisms. Although there is no apparent solution for this issue, currently, there is a way to reduce the damage done to our oceans. Lessening waste, limiting our use of plastic, and recycling are effective ways for humans to reduce our ecological footprint as consumers.