Uncovering the Main Contributors to Rising Levels of Ocean Microplastics

Understanding Ocean Microplastics

Microplastics come from varied sources, categorized into primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are intentionally made for use in products like cosmetic scrubs and industrial abrasives. In contrast to plastics deliberately crafted as microplastics, secondary microplastics refer to the products created by the breakdown of larger plastic items through mechanical or sometimes chemical forces.

Primary Sources of Ocean Microplastics

Cosmetic Products

One surprising source of ocean microplastics is the cosmetic industry. Many personal care items, such as exfoliating scrubs and toothpaste, contain microbeads—tiny plastic particles used for texture. An estimated 8 trillion microbeads are released into oceans annually from cosmetics. Despite rising awareness, harmful microbeads remain in many products, providing a direct route for plastics to enter our oceans.

Synthetic Fibers

Most textiles are made from synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which shed microplastics during washing. Research indicates that over 700,000 fibers can be released in a single load of laundry, which ultimately find their way into our waterways. Since most water treatment plants are not equipped to filter out these minuscule fibers, they contribute significantly to microplastic pollution.

Industrial Discharge

Industrial activities are major contributors to ocean microplastics. Industries involved in plastic manufacturing often release plastic pellets, known as nurdles, into water bodies. It's estimated that about 230,000 tons of nurdles are lost during production and transport each year, leading to significant marine pollution

Secondary Sources of Ocean Microplastics

Degradation of Larger Plastics

As said earlier, larger plastic products break down due to mechanical forces such as sun, wind, and waves, fragmenting into smaller pieces that become microplastics. This process can take hundreds of years and these plastics often release toxins all through that time, highlighting that many microplastics in our oceans are remnants of products from decades past. However there is one specific source of secondary ocean microplastics I'd like to mention:

Tire wear. As vehicles move, tiny rubber particles are released into the environment. Recent studies suggest that about 28% of all microplastics in marine environments come from tire wear, illustrating another source of pollution that often goes unnoticed.

The Role of Urban Runoff

Urban runoff (often exacerbated by poor urban planning and design) significantly assists the rapid movement of microplastics into the ocean. Rainwater runoff can wash litter and microplastics from streets into storm drains, which often lead straight into rivers or the sea.

How Students (or Anyone!) Can Make a Difference

Advocate for Policy Changes

University students have a crucial opportunity to advocate for policies aimed at reducing plastic waste. By participating in campaigns focused on banning harmful plastics or pushing for stricter regulations on personal care products, they can amplify their voices and drive systemic change.

Support Sustainable Brands

By opting for eco-friendly and sustainable brands, students can directly help reduce microplastic pollution. Many companies now offer products made from natural ingredients and biodegradable materials. Supporting these alternatives can help shift demand away from products that contribute to worsening microplastic pollution.

Participate in Beach Clean-Ups

Activities like beach clean-ups allows students to make a tangible difference. Organized clean-ups help remove microplastics and raise awareness about the issues surrounding plastic pollution. In just a few hours, a small team can collect hundreds of pounds of debris from coastlines, mitigating environmental impact.

Educate Others

Education can create significant ripple effects. Its why I wrote this blog. By sharing knowledge about microplastics and their environmental consequences with peers, students can inspire collective action. Even spreading social media for awareness campaigns can go a long way for issue where the solution must be a collective one.