Microplastics: Sources and Effects

Microplastics

• Definition: Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5 mm in size.
• Sources:
  • Microbeads in personal care products
  • Breakdown of larger plastic debris
  • Synthetic fibers from clothing
• Effects:
  • Ingested by small marine animals, which can lead to physical harm and transfer of toxins up the food chain
  • Can leach chemicals into the environment
  • Affect the growth and development of marine organisms
• Impact on human health:
  • Ingestion of microplastics through seafood consumption
  • Potential for microplastics to enter the human body through drinking water or air

Ocean Currents

• Definition: Ocean currents are the movement of ocean water in a specific direction.
• Types:
  • Surface currents: driven by wind and tides
  • Thermohaline circulation: driven by changes in temperature and salinity
• Role in plastic island formation:
  • Carry plastic debris across the ocean, converging in certain areas
  • Create areas of high plastic concentration, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
  • Influence the distribution and accumulation of microplastics
• Factors affecting ocean currents:
  • Wind patterns
  • Ocean temperature and salinity
  • Topography of the ocean floor
  • Human activities, such as overfishing and climate change

Microplastics

• Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5 mm in size.
• Microbeads in personal care products, breakdown of larger plastic debris, and synthetic fibers from clothing are sources of microplastics.
• Microplastics can be ingested by small marine animals, leading to physical harm and transfer of toxins up the food chain.
• Microplastics can leach chemicals into the environment.
• Microplastics affect the growth and development of marine organisms.
• Ingestion of microplastics through seafood consumption can impact human health.
• Microplastics can enter the human body through drinking water or air.

Ocean Currents

• Ocean currents are the movement of ocean water in a specific direction.
• Surface currents are driven by wind and tides, while thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in temperature and salinity.
• Ocean currents carry plastic debris across the ocean, converging in certain areas.
• Ocean currents create areas of high plastic concentration, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
• Ocean currents influence the distribution and accumulation of microplastics.
• Wind patterns, ocean temperature and salinity, topography of the ocean floor, and human activities like overfishing and climate change affect ocean currents.