microplastics

Microplastics Pose Major Problems for Ocean Giants

Microplastics Pose Major Problems for Ocean Giants

Some of our oceans‘ largest creatures are being threatened by the tiniest bits of plastic that litter our seas, a new analysis published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution found. Filter-feeding marine animals such as manta rays and whale sharks swallow hundreds to thousands of cubic meters of water a day to capture […]

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Plastic Pollution in Antarctica 5 Times Worse Than Expected

    Plastic Pollution in Antarctica 5 Times Worse Than Expected

    Not only have microplastic particles infiltrated the pristine Antarctic, the problem is much worse than anyone thought. Scientists from the University of Hull and the British Antarctic Survey have determined that the levels of microplastics are five times higher than previous estimates. The results were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. These […]

    Even Your Sea Salt Contains Microplastics

    Even Your Sea Salt Contains Microplastics

    Sea salt may be healthy and rich in minerals, but a new study found it is also rich in plastic. Sea salt has gained some popularity in the past few years for mega health benefits like increased energy and immunity, and improved skin and dental health. But, a team of researchers tested 17 sea salt […]

    Microplastics in Oceans Outnumber Stars in Our Galaxy by 500 Times

    Microplastics in Oceans Outnumber Stars in Our Galaxy by 500 Times

    The United Nations is “declaring war” on the biggest sources of planetary pollution—ocean plastic. On Thursday, the intergovernmental organization’s environment program (UNEP) launched its #CleanSeas campaign at the World Ocean Summit hosted by The Economist in Bali, Indonesia. The unprecedented global initiative urges governments and businesses to take measures to eliminate microplastics from cosmetics and […]

    22 Million Pounds of Plastic Enters the Great Lakes Each Year

    22 Million Pounds of Plastic Enters the Great Lakes Each Year

    U.S. and Canada together discard 22 million pounds of plastic into the waters of the Great Lakes each year, according to a new Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) study. Most of it washes up along the shores, accounting for 80 percent of the litter found there. Researchers said that Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit are […]