These plastic particles, known as microplastics, are formed when large plastics, such as shopping bags and food wrappers, break down.
As noted in the Journal of Oceans 21, Researchers are concerned about microplastics because they are so small, widely distributed and easily consumed by wildlife, whether on purpose or accidentally.
We study marine science and animal behavior and wanted to understand how big the problem is.
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In a recently published study we conducted with ecologist Elliot Hazen, we studied how marine fish, including species consumed by humans – ingest particles of varying sizes.
So far, we have found at least 386 marine fish species, including 210 commercial species ingesting plastic debris.
However, this figure is increasing. We estimate this is due to methods for detecting developing microplastics and increasing plastic pollution in the oceans.
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