Micro

plastics
Halake Arianna Abby Justine

Members of the
 What are micro
plastics?
Micro plastics are tiny particles that result from both
commercial product development and the breakdown of
larger plastics. As a pollutant, micro plastics can be
harmful to the environment and animal health.
 Types of micro
plastics
Primary micro Primary micro plastic is intentionally manufactured to be added to
some products, such as body care products, or derives from plastic
plastic products, such as synthetic clothing and tires. Examples are:

Body care products such as soaps and toothpaste, contain micro

plastics because of their abrasive properties or simply dyes

Abrasion of tires on the asphalt generates fin dust containing micro

plastics

Systemic garments release micro plastics during washing. It has been estimated that a 5kg
wash releases about 6000 micro plastic. This result can vary depending on the
characteristics of the fabric.
 Secondary micro
plastics
Secondary micro plastic represents the vast majority. These are larger plastic fragments, such as bottles and plastic
bags dispersed in the environment. If not disposed of properly, light and oxygen weaken the plastic and cause it to
crumble into micro plastics.

This means the pernicious effects of all this plastic pollution on the marine environment are particularly concerning. A
plastic-choked and warming ocean will create a negative feedback loop where plant and animal life suffer, less carbon
dioxide is absorbed and our ability to rein in climate change is further hampered.
How is micro plastics linked to climate
change?
Much of the plastic that doesn’t
make it to the recycling plant ends
up in our rivers and ocean. Not
only is this a danger to the plants
and animals whose habitats have
become aquatic garbage patches,
but it also poses a threat to the
climate, as plastic releases
greenhouse gases as it slowly
breaks down
Sunlight and heat cause it to release Te
methane and ethylene – and at
increasing rate as the plastic breaks
down into even smaller pieces.
On top of this, research suggests
that micro plastics affect the ability
of marine microorganisms to
absorb carbon dioxide and release
oxygen
HOW MICRO-PLASTICS IS LINKED
TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Much of the plastic that doesn’t make it to the recycling plant ends up in our rivers and ocean.
Not only is this a danger to the animals and plants whose habitats have become aquatic
garbage patches, but it also poses a threat to the climate, as plastic releases greenhouse gases as
it slowly breaks down.
Sunlight and heat cause it to release methane and ethylene – and at increasing rate as the
plastic breaks down into ever smaller pieces.
On top of this, research suggests that microplastics affect the ability of marine microorganisms
to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
At least half of Earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean, mostly produced by plankton. These
tiny organisms also capture carbon through photosynthesis, making our ocean a vitally
important carbon sink.
Microplastics affect the ability of these organisms to grow, reproduce and capture carbon. And
by grazing on microplastics, these plankton could further accelerate the loss of ocean oxygen.
 Add Title
1 Here
2 3 4 5
Text text text text text Text text text text text Text text text text text Text text text text text Text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text
Add Title
Text text text text text text text text text text text text

Here
text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text
 Add Title
1
2
Here
6
Text text text text text text text

7
Text text text text text text text
Text text text text text text text

Text text text text text text text

3 Text text text text text text text

8 Text text text text text text text

4 Text text text text text text text

9 Text text text text text text text

1
5 Text text text text text text text
0
Text text text text text text text
 Add Title
1
Here
3
Text text text text text text text Text text text text text text text

Text text text text text text text text text text Text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text

2 Text text text text text text text

4 Text text text text text text text

Text text text text text text text text text text Text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text
Thank
You