A study from the University of South Florida has discovered nearly 4 billion microplastic particles in the waters of Tampa Bay. The ecological implication of so much plastic debris in major waterways is certainly unnerving. The predominant type of microplastic present in the study is derived from fishing nets and laundry. These “laundry” fibers come from synthetic fibers that are present in clothes and leach out when washed.
According to the study, microplastic concentrations averaged 4 pieces per gallon of water at all sites, and over 600 pieces per pound of sediment. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles no large than 1/8 of an inch. Their ecological prevalence has been proven around the global causing a universal concern over their environmental impact. Due to their nanostructure, microplastics enter the food chain through filter feeders, such as oysters and claim. Toxic pesticides and heavy metals attach to microplastics, making them great transporters of harmful compounds to ecological sites. Researchers have emphasized that greater measures are needed to gauge the total impact of microplastics on the environment. Their removal is paramount to maintaining balanced ecological systems, and further research is needed to quantify the work efforts of the future.