0 extremely small pieces of plastic that are harmful to the environment, used in cosmetics (= substances put on the face or body to improve appearance), or formed when plastic waste material breaks down:
Tiny fragments of 5 mm or less are called microplastics and are particularly dangerous as they can absorb toxic chemicals which are transported to marine animals when ingested.
The group plans to investigate how the microbial interaction with microplastics varies across different habitats within the coastal seabed.
An example of a larger product that turns into microplastic over time could be a plastic bag that is degraded to smaller and smaller pieces in the course of months or years.
Due to its size and variety of sources, the characterization of microplastic is even more complex than for large plastic debris.
It is not clear, however, if microplastics play a larger role as chemical reservoirs on smaller scales.
Microplastics may sink, threatening filter feeders on the seabed.
It remains unknown if microplastics may be transferred across trophic levels.
Toxic microplastics can be swallowed by using this toothpaste.
