16 Microplastics in Our Oceans and Drinking Water
Plastics & Our Water Systems
Plastic particles are mostly polyethylene plastics. These are the most common types of plastic used, and are in packaging, bags, and cosmetic products. Once polyethylene plastics are in our environment, they are difficult to break down and pass through water filtration easily ending up in our drinking water and oceans. In the present day, plastic consumption has increased greatly. Due to the durability of plastic and its resistance to corrosion, it is utilized for most products around the world. It is used for grocery products, packaging, and in many other industries. There are 400 million tons of plastic consumed yearly, and only nine percent of that plastic used is recycled (United Nations).
Marine Ecosystems
One industry that contributes significantly to plastic waste in our water is the fishing industry. Plastic has increasingly become a common part of fishing practices and is a huge contributor to products in the marine industry. Fishing lines, nets, and buoys are all primarily made of plastic. These can easily get lost or damaged and end up in the oceans harming marine life. Additionally, due to Recycling efforts being low, a majority of the industry waste is not disposed of properly.
After microplastics end up in the marine ecosystem, it gets consumed by wildlife and works its way down the food chain. Plankton consumes the highest amount of microplastics compared to all marine life. Due to plankton being a major food source for many other life forms, it ends up in their systems as well. One of the highest consumers of plankton is coral. When the microplastics end up in coral, it ends up decaying and eventually dying. This is detrimental for not only marine life but also climate health. Coral protects coastlines from storms and erosion. This can cause an increase in natural disasters and damage local communities. Additionally, plankton is also consumed by a variety of fish. Due to the plastic being heavily toxic, it kills off many of the fish. The ones that end up surviving often end up being caught and end up in our food system, eventually being consumed by humans.
Figure 2.1- Sources of Plastic in the Ocean (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2024)