How Microplastics Threaten Marine Ecosystems and the Food Chain

Representation of the exposure of marine life to microplastics. Image Source: © European Union, 1998 – 2026

Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, can be found in land, air, and water, and have infiltrated our food chain, resulting in far-reaching health consequences for humans and nonhumans alike. In 2020, scientists discovered the “highest level of microplastic ever recorded on the seafloor,” revealing the extent of their impact on the marine ecosystem.

The lead author of the study...