Microplastics and Marine Life by Lauren VanBuren

According to Mark Kinver, studies performed by environmental scientists have indicated that microscopic plastic debris, or "microplastics," have been discovered on the coasts of urban areas and continue to infiltrate animal food chains. These plastics are a product of human waste--specifically through water discharge from washing machines. Dr. Browne, a member of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis states that "some polyester garments released more than 1,900 fibres per garment, per wash," which is a pretty substantial amount considering how frequently the general population washes their clothes. To get an idea of how widespread this issue is, a team of scientists took samples from 18 beaches around the globe, and there was a presence of mictoplastics in every single sample. (The image on the right was taken from the article and depicts debris found on the coast of an urban area)

The issues related to these plastics are still being studied, but many have already been discovered. For instance, once these plastics are discharged, animals, specifically marine species, consume them. After consumption, scientists found that the plastics transfer from their stomachs into their circulation system and accumulate into their cells. Microplastics also can physically block or damage the feeding appendages and interrupt the digestion system of many animals. If this issue continues, it could have a harmful effect on marine biodiversity around the world.

This article relates to Ecology because it is another example of human's ecological impact on the environment. The microplastics found on coastlines are not coincidental, since they are more abundant in urban areas. This tells us that humans have a responsibility to try and reverse this issue and help maintain marine biodiversity.

It is important that humans take into consideration that something as simple as washing our clothes has environmental impacts. Research on methods of removing microplastics from sewage is necessary, but  until we can find more efficient and less harmful ways to stop water discharge from our washing machines, humans should be more conscious of their habits and take these issues into consideration when deciding how frequently to wash their clothes.


Accumulating 'microplastic' threat to shores:
Kinver, Mark. "Accumulating 'microplastic' threat to shores." BBC News 27 January 2012, n. pag. Web. 31 Jan. 2012.