Microplastics and the impact it has on our marine life

By: Ashritha Manthena

Microplastics are common plastic pieces that are found everywhere and have the potential to harm marine life. Microplastics are defined as plastics that are smaller than 5 millimeters in size and can range from being the size of a grain of rice to microscopic. This makes them especially difficult to spot and prevent damage to the ecosystem. Humans are the main contributors of microplastics in the environment, as they are found in our everyday household items, from toothpaste to exfoliating face washes. Larger items such as plastic bags, food containers, and bottles break down into smaller components which are known as secondary microplastics. These items get thrown away or washed down the sink and eventually end up in our oceans, streams, and seas. They have become so common that they can be found virtually anywhere in the world.

After these microplastics reach ocean ecosystems they have the potential to be consumed by marine life that mistake them for food. For example, zooplankton are one of the many animals that are susceptible to eating these microscopic plastics. Zooplanktons make up the base of many food webs and thus once they take in these particles, they then get passed up the food chain to larger organisms. Other sea creatures that also tend to ingest these particles include fish, crabs, whales, sea turtles and more. Microplastics tend to draw in pollutants from the water they are placed in, so the animals that eat them also absorb the toxic pollutants attached. Once swallowed, they can ruin an animal’s digestive system, slow development, and disrupt reproduction processes.

In order to prevent these detrimental effects to ocean ecosystems it is our job to reduce our overall plastic intake. We can start by avoiding single use plastics by opting for reusable options such as metal water bottles and supporting sustainable brands. Participating in local beach clean ups can help free the environment of pollutants and create a greener world. Lastly, spreading awareness of the environmental state of our earth today and possible solutions can help initiate the change we hope to see in our ecosystems.