Microplastics

Microplastic, macro problem: Microplastics discovered in fishes from remote coral reefs in the South China Sea

Scientists quantify microplastics in various species of coral reef fishes from the Xisha Islands.

Can we use bacteria to help clean up plastic in the ocean?

A "microbiosphere" could be engineered to introduce plastic-degrading bacteria to marine plastic pollution, but many questions still remain.

Plastic Pollution

When microplastics go marshing in: A tale of two tidal marsh birds

As microplastic pollution continues to threaten coastal biodiversity, this study confirms its presence in tidal marsh birds.

Plastic Pollution

Mitigating microplastic pollution through ballast water treatment

By making a small change to existing ballast water treatment systems, we have a chance to tackle microplastic pollution.

Human impacts

No longer a needle in a haystack: The distribution and abundance of microplastics in beaches

Where do microplastics end up in the ocean?

Plastic

Scratching the surface: Microplastic distribution in the surface layer of the world’s ocean

Researchers have developed a dataset of microplastics in the ocean surface waters across the globe.

Human impacts

Microplastic debris in our oceans: how much does it really matter for food safety and human health?

Citation: Luís Gabriel Antão Barboza, A. Dick Vethaak, Beatriz R.B.O. Lavorante, Anne-Katrine Lundebye, Lúcia Guilhermino, Marine microplastic debris: An emerging…

Biology Chemistry Hazards Human Health Plastic Pollution

How many microplastics are in your body? An insight into lifetime accumulation

Microscopic plastics have been found anywhere and everywhere, including in the food we eat. With plastic pollution on the rise,…

Plastic Pollution

Let them eat plastic – Animals eating microplastic could choke the ocean

Plastic pollution may bring to mind big images - dead birds, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and beaches filled with…

Biology Human impacts Lakes Plastic

Can Green Algae Capture Microplastics in the Great Lakes?

Microplastics (specifically microfibers) can adhere to the cell walls of the green algae Cladophora, potentially removing them from the water.

Biological oceanography Biology Ecology Fisheries Plastic Pollution

Plastics and Colors and Fish, Oh My!

Have you ever wondered what happens to the garbage that ends up in the ocean? Or about what just might…

Biological oceanography Plastic

Can Pacific Oysters handle a bit of microplastics in the lab? Shuck yeah!

Filter feeding animals like oysters can be exposed to small plastic particles, called microplastics, as they filter food out of…

Conservation Human impacts Plastic Pollution

Microplastics, Canned Fish, and You: How plastic pollution may play a role in your next lunch

Did you know that many plastic items can shed tiny particles called microplastics? These microplastics are present everywhere in our…

Plastic

Life in Plastic: 14 Million Tonnes of Microplastics Likely on Sea Floor

The deep-sea floor has always fascinated scientists and ocean lovers alike with its mystery and wonder. For the first time…

Plastic

Is There Plastic in Paradise?

Tropical islands like the Maldives have always been viewed as untouched paradises for most people, but what lies beneath the…

Plastic Pollution

Traces of human plastic pollution in ocean sediment

Is the plastic we produce being stored in our oceans’ sediments? To answer this question scientists studied a sediment core…

Plastic

Giant Clams vs. Small Plastics

Microplastics are found all throughout our oceans. But in the Red Sea, there are a lot less. Find out how…

Plastic Pollution

A boon to ocean conservation? Certain fungi can degrade marine plastics

Brunner I, Fischer M, Ru ̈thi J, Stierli B, Frey B (2018) Ability of fungi isolated from plastic debris floating…

Plastic Pollution

Important oyster-producing region of British Columbia swamped with microplastics

If you grew up in the developed world, chances are you have an intimate relationship with plastic. Your lunch…

Pollution

The Difference between Dippers and Divers: Plastic Pollution in Deep-Diving Seabirds

Plastic pollution is commonly imagined to be an issue that affects the sea surface. However, many small pieces of plastic…