What is the impact of microplastics on the oceans?

Microplastics are part of our present and are considered a problem for both marine animals and humans. What is the true impact of microplastics on the oceans?

In this article, we reveal what microplastics are and their real impacts on our aquatic environment. We also share some recent news stories that reveal their potential consequences for humans.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are very small plastic particles, typically less than five millimeters in size. And how is it possible for such small plastics to exist? On the one hand, they can be produced during product development, and on the other, they result from the fragmentation of larger plastics.

For example, washing jeans releases up to 56,000 microfibers per wash. The positive aspect is that there are solutions to reduce the impact of microplastics on the oceans, whether by reducing the number of washes or using microplastic collection bags.

How do these bags work? The idea is to place your clothes inside the bag, filling it only two-thirds full to leave room for movement. At the end of the wash cycle, remove the clothes and any microplastics trapped in the bag and place them in the recycling bin.

What categories of microplastics exist?

These small particles fall into two categories :

• Primary plastics: These are designed for commercial uses such as personal care products, clothing, fishing nets, and others. The European Parliament hypothesizes that these represent between 15% and 31% of microplastics in the oceans.
• Secondary: These originate from the fragmentation of larger plastics, such as water/juice bottles, due to external factors (UV radiation, wind, waves). In this case, between 69% and 81% of these can be found in the oceans.

What is the impact of microplastics on the oceans?

Did you know that more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year and that around 10 million tons end up in the oceans?

Through a study carried out in 2019, it is possible to verify the accumulation of macro and microplastics along the coastline (land area), in waters with a depth of less than 200 meters and in waters with a depth greater than 200 meters.

The same study reveals that, between 2010 and 2015, there was a significant increase in the number of macroplastics. Furthermore, in deeper waters, the amount of microplastics is visible over time, suggesting that their decomposition takes some time.

The fact that they can take thousands of years to decompose poses several environmental problems. Microplastics can be derived from garbage disposal and runoff and are found in soil and marine environments.

The impact on marine life

Of all the pollution in the seas, 80% is plastic waste.

Over time, plastic materials have a greater capacity to absorb hydrophobic pollutants. In addition to this chemical exposure, plastics can lead to habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and harm to marine species. Microplastics can spread invasive species, bacteria, and viruses.

Still on the subject of this impact of microplastics on the oceans, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates that around 800 species of molluscs, crustaceans and fish have already ingested plastic.

Human beings do not escape this problem either.

Microplastics are transmitted to humans through the ingestion of marine and land animals, but also through drinking water and dust. One consequence can be infections, as the body reacts to them as foreign particles.

Other authors also indicate that microplastics have the potential to cause problems such as cancer, reproductive difficulties, and a decrease in the body's immune responses.

However, according to the European Parliament , the real impact on health is not yet known, but the fact that plastics contain potentially toxic chemicals means they can be harmful.

In addition to being found in human feces, microplastics have been found in the bloodstream and breast milk. Laboratory experiments indicate that they cause damage to human cells.

Its impact on the climate

The impact of microplastics on the oceans is a reality, as are their consequences for the climate. Some plastics, as they degrade or are exposed to sunlight, release gases such as methane and ethylene, which contribute to the greenhouse effect.

In short, we can say that microplastics are practically everywhere, even in personal hygiene products. Around 10 million tons of plastic are released into the oceans each year. This poses several problems for marine life and humans.

Author: Daniela Matos