Microplastic meals
A growing number of studies show us that many different animals ingest microplastic, including those species that are at the base of our food chain, the animals we eat as food, and as a result, us humans.
A chemical cocktail
Our understanding of microplastic impacts in our ecosystems and bodies is still young. “Plastic” is not just one material, there are many different types of plastic and each plastic is a mixture of chemical compounds. These chemicals might be contaminants in the oil used to make plastic or additives to make the plastic more useable. Plastics in the ocean can also carry pollutants adsorbed to the microplastic’s surface. A growing number of scientific studies aim to map out potential interactions of these particles and associated chemicals in our environment, and in the organs and bloodstreams of species that are exposed to them.
Impacting our ecosystems
Studies show that microfibres can reduce feeding habits of zooplankton [1], impact reproduction of oysters [2], and increase the chemical load of fish [3]. Larger microplastic particles such as nurdles have been found in seabirds’ stomachs [4], with the potential to lead to reduced feeding, and in extreme cases, starvation [5].
Although our understanding is still growing, we know that we need to act now to reduce the amount of microplastic building in our environment. Microplastic doesn’t need to be entering the environment at all, and there are a host of ways to stop this plastic becoming litter in the first place.