A Microplastics Breakdown
Primary microplastics are MPs that are originally created with the intention of being less than 5mm in size for various purposes.
Secondary microplastics are MPs that form as larger plastic items break down into smaller pieces over time. As plastics are exposed to physical agitation from wind or water, or even heat and UV rays from the sun, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces in a process called “fragmentation”.
How do plastics break down?
A major source of microplastics in marine habitats are washing machines, which can generate thousands of tiny plastic fibers from just one piece of fabric before releasing them into sewage systems. Another source of MPs is from the small pieces of tires that chip away while motor vehicles are driving; these pieces of plastic can eventually wind up in sewage systems and the ocean (NOAA).
- Nurdles are one example of a primary microplastic, and they are created to form many of the plastic items used daily, such as water bottles.
Secondary microplastics are MPs that form as larger plastic items break down into smaller pieces over time. As plastics are exposed to physical agitation from wind or water, or even heat and UV rays from the sun, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces in a process called “fragmentation”.
How do plastics break down?
A major source of microplastics in marine habitats are washing machines, which can generate thousands of tiny plastic fibers from just one piece of fabric before releasing them into sewage systems. Another source of MPs is from the small pieces of tires that chip away while motor vehicles are driving; these pieces of plastic can eventually wind up in sewage systems and the ocean (NOAA).