Environmental Impacts of Microplastics
Airborne and Terrestrial
Airborne and terrestrial microplastics can easily be breathed in or ingested by any number of organisms.
Aquatic
In aquatic environments, microplastics can cause harm physically by taking up space in digestive systems, as well as through the chemicals and pathogens that they carry. When transported in the water column, MPs typically travel towards the deep sea. When microorganisms attach themselves to another object, such as a microplastic, they can be transported throughout the water column via a process known as biofouling.
Inside of the gastrointestinal tract, microplastics can cause physical irritation of tissues and disrupt the microbiome, causing people to feel sick and experience unpleasant side effects. Hidden inside of the bonds that form plastics are harmful chemicals, such as the phthalates that allow for these items to be more flexible and durable that alternatives.
Food Webs and Fishes
All organisms live within a food pyramid. For fishes, they exist as consumers within different trophic levels, meaning that sometimes predators will eat prey.
Airborne and terrestrial microplastics can easily be breathed in or ingested by any number of organisms.
Aquatic
In aquatic environments, microplastics can cause harm physically by taking up space in digestive systems, as well as through the chemicals and pathogens that they carry. When transported in the water column, MPs typically travel towards the deep sea. When microorganisms attach themselves to another object, such as a microplastic, they can be transported throughout the water column via a process known as biofouling.
Inside of the gastrointestinal tract, microplastics can cause physical irritation of tissues and disrupt the microbiome, causing people to feel sick and experience unpleasant side effects. Hidden inside of the bonds that form plastics are harmful chemicals, such as the phthalates that allow for these items to be more flexible and durable that alternatives.
Food Webs and Fishes
All organisms live within a food pyramid. For fishes, they exist as consumers within different trophic levels, meaning that sometimes predators will eat prey.